I II ©

7th European PalAeobotany-Palynology Conference

PROGRAM and ABSTRACTS

7eppc 2OO6 September 6-11 czech republic

Prague III Issued by the National Museum, Prague, 2006 Logo & Design © by Pavel Šťastný – Plechárna 2006 Computer typeset by Petr Materna Printed by Arpa, Dvůr Králové nad Labem

ISBN 80-7036-198-0

IV SPONSORS

PARTNERS

V CONTENT

Preface ...... VII

PROGR AM Program summary ...... X Wednesday, 6th Sept., 2006...... XI Thursday, 7th Sept., 2006 ...... XI Friday, 8th Sept., 2006 ...... XV Saturday, 9th Sept., 2006 ...... XX Sunday, 10th Sept., 2006...... XX Monday, 11th Sept., 2006 ...... XXIII Tuesday, 12th Sept., 2006 ...... XXIII

Posters ...... XXIV−XXVIII

ABSTRACTS All submitted abstracts ...... 1−167 Index ...... 168−170 Notes ...... 171 →

VI WELCOME TO THE 7TH EUROPEAN PALAEOBOTANYPALYNOLOGY CONFERENCE

The conference takes place in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, as it was agreed upon in the IOP meeting in Athens 2002. The interest of palaeobotanists and palynologists to participate has extended well beyond Europe. Thanks to contributions of various sponsors and registration money, tens of colleagues without or with minimal funding pos- sibilities have been invited, mostly from eastern Europe. So far about 300 registrations have been obtained from Europe, USA, China, Japan, India, Egypt, Argentina and other countries. Because numerous oral presentations have been submit- ted, the program of the conference must run in five parallel sections. In such a situation, related topics may clash. We have tried to minimize such conflicts but they cannot be entirely avoided. The conference has been placed in the Czech Technical University area, in the joint building of the Faculty of Civil En- gineering and Architecture STAVEBNÍ FAKULTA ČVÚT FAKULTA ARCHITEKTURY), Thákurova 7, Praha 6 (near the Vítězné nám. square from the terminal of the underground – metro line A – “DEJVICKÁ” via the Technická Street to the end). The welcome party (6th Sept. 19:00) and the workshop (9th Sept. 9:00) will take place in the main building of the National Museum, upper part of the Václavské nám. square (the underground metro lines A and C, station “MUZEUM”). The oral presentations start at 8:30 for morning sessions and at 14:20 for afternoon sessions. The speakers are kindly requested to upload the presentations 10 min. before the block of lectures starts and strictly follow the schedule. The space for the posters in the entrance hall is divided and the posters are numbered according to the sections and topics. They can be mounted starting with the registration and must removed before the end of the Sunday session. Technical aid is provided at the registration desk. Only poster sessions within the sections are an- nounced in the program. Participants are encouraged to view the posters also during the breaks. Details about the field trips are separately available (field guide book, last information circular). In any case of difficulty, we provide cellphone numbers that the participants can use and ask help: Jiří Kvaček: +420 24412283, Zlatko Kvaček: +420 720548168, Jiřina Dašková: +420 776000824, Helena Loneková: +420 608408708, Jakub Sakala: +420 732713860, Vasilis Teodoridis: +420 777311159. For financial support of the conference and facilities our thanks are due to the British Palaeontological Society, Lon- don, the North-Bohemian Mining Corporation, Chomutov, Olympus C&S, Praha, the National Museum, Praha, the Charles University, Praha, the Czech Geological Survey, Prague, the County Museum, Plzeň and Mayor of the town of Plzeň. We also thank to the Conference Partners, who helped much with the organisation of the meeting. We hope that the conference will offer a good opportunity to exchange scientific views and contribute to extension of personal contacts among palaeobotanists and palynologists. We wish to you all an enjoying stay in Prague and much thank for participating.

Zlatko Kvaček, Jiří Kvaček, Jiřina Dašková, Vasilis Teodoridis, Oldřich Fatka, Jiří Bek, Stanislav Opluštil, Zbyněk Šimůnek, Josef Pšenička, Milan Libertín, Eva Břízová, Petr Pokorný and Jakub Sakala

VII VIII ©

7th European PalAeobotany-Palynology Conference

PROGRAM

7TH EUROPEAN PALAEOBOTANYPALYNOLOGY CONFERENCE, PR AGUE

IX s cont. . ont. ysiology ssion aeophysiology aeophysiology oster session oster aphy Taphonomy Taphonomy aphy PROGR AM SUMMARY SEPT. SEPT. 8:30–10:40 OPENING SESSION (A) SEPT. 8:30–10:30 gymnosperms, Palaeozoic Tertiary and Mesozoic setting volcanic Tertiary Human impact on Holocene wood Fossil SEPT. 8:30–10:30 Miscellaneous contributions taxonomy, pteridophytes esozoic palaeofloristics Tertiary SEPT. session Poster SEPT. B1-4 FIELDTRIPS POST-CONFERENCE Palaeoph TRIP B3, cont. FIELD SEPT. SEPT. 9:00–13:00 – National Museum STERNBERG” MARIA KAŠPAR TO “HOMAGE WORKSHOP – SEPT. SEPT. 8:00–17:00 THE BARRANDIAN AREA TO FIELDTRIP PRE-CONFERENCE TH TH TH TH TH TH TH 7 THU, 19:00 – National Museum PARTY WELCOME (B1) Palaeozoic (B2) Mesozoic (B3) Tertiary Quaternary (B4) (B5) General topics 11:00–13:00 under- Outstanding challenges to structures of Reproductive of open evolution Cenozoic Quaternary palynostratigr 11:00–13:00 and evolution systematics gymnosperms, Palaeozoic polar floras-cont. gymnosperms with Mesozoic carpological Tertiary and the plant record Human impact on Holocene gymnosperms (9:10) Mesozoic wood-cont Fossil with particular interest conifers in Cheirolepidiaceae vegetation 12 TUE, change-cont. 8 FRI, 14:20–16:20 climate plant taxonomy Early Palaeozoic structures Reproductive standing early land plant 17:00–19:00 and evolution vegetation and lignophytes Ferns with and evolution angiosperms Cretaceous of open land- evolution Cenozoic Quaternary polar floras Tertiary and Mesozoic landscapes in Palaeozoic Meeting of NECLIME and inter- landscapes in Eurasia angiosperms-cont. of Cretaceous Taphonomy and interaction scapes in Eurasia Quaternary palynostratigraphy-cont. 9 14:20–16:20 and evolution-cont. systematics SAT, structures Reproductive structures (12:00) Reproductive particular interest and palaeoecology- plants and their of Palaeozoic in Cheirolepidiaceae action change with climate 17:00–19:00 in situ spores and pollen spores Palaeozoic conifers-cont. of climate Evolution Miscellaneous contribution plants and their of Palaeozoic and palaeoecology floristics Cretaceous in situ-cont. spores in the Mesozoic and leaf studies session & poster palynology palynology Tertiary palynology Tertiary vegetation-cont. palynostratigraphy-cont. and Human impact on Holocene Miscellaneous contributions wood-cont. Fossil palaeobiology to wood-c Fossil and palynology and phytostratigraphy and phytostratigraphy-cont. vegetation-cont. Quaternary to palaeobotany 14:00–17:00 SIGHTSEEING TOUR SIGHTSEEING 14:00–17:00 10 SUN, WED, 6 WED, 11:00–13:00 IGCP 469 session: Pensylvanian MON, 11 14:20–16:00 taxonomy, pteridophytes Mesozoic IGCP 469 session: Pensylvanian palaeobotany Palaeozoic Late to palaeofloristics-cont. Tertiary 16:30–17:50 evolutionary trends Triassic-Jurassic palaeoecology Mevolution, marine Early Palaeozoic session Poster and global biotas floras terrestrial Palaeogene 18:10–19:00 SESSION (A) CLOSING session Poster biotas-cont. terrestrial Meso- Miscellaneousto contributions floras and global Palaeogene microplankton session Poster Pal palaeoecology-cont. evolution, interaction and plant environment P change events and palynology palaeobotany zoic se Poster change events-cont. plants of fossil plants-cont. of fossil

X WEDNESDAY, 6TH SEPT., 2006

8.00–17.00 PRE-CONFERENCE FIELDTRIP TO THE BARRANDIAN AREA (leader O. Fatka) – meeting at 8:00 a.m. in front of the building “STAVEBNÍ FAKULTA ČVÚT FAKULTA ARCHITEKTURY” – Thákurova 7 (Metro station line A “DEJVICKÁ”) 9.00–18.00 REGISTRATION – entrance hall of the building “STAVEBNÍ FAKULTA ČVÚT FAKULTA ARCHITEKTURY” – Thákurova 7, first floor 19.00 WELCOME PARTY – National Museum, Václavské nám., second floor, “Pantheon” (Metro station line C and A “MUZEUM”)

THURSDAY, 7TH SEPT., 2006 “STAVEBNÍ FAKULTA ČVÚT FAKULTA ARCHITEKTURY” THÁKUROVA 7, SECOND FLOOR

8:30–10:40 OPENING SESSION (lecture room A) 8:30–8:35 Zlatko Kvaček – OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE 8:35–8:45 Margaret E. Collinson – ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT OF THE IOP 8:45–8:55 Thomas Litt – ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT OF THE IFSP 8:55–9:25 Thomas Litt – THE SPREAD OF A VIW CONIFER SPECIES THROUGHOUT EUROPE SINCE THE LAST GLACIAL PERIOD: A COMBINED APPROACH BASED ON POLLEN, MACROFOSSIL AND MITOCHONDRIAL DNA DATA 9:25–9:55 Jean Galtier – FERNS  SEED PLANTS RELATIONSHIPS AND THE ORIGIN OF MEGAPHYLLS 9:55–10:25 David L. Dilcher – MAJOR EVENTS IN ANGIOSPERM EVOLUTION 10:25–10:40 Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert – DELIVERY OF THE W. H. JONGMANS AWARD 10:40–11:00 COFFEE BREAK 11:00–13:00 SESSIONS/SYMPOSIA IN THE SECTIONS

Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

Symposium Outstanding challenges to understanding early land plant vegetation and evolution (convenors Dianne Edwards and Chris Berry) 11: 00 –11:40 Dianne Edwards and Chris Berry – EARLY LAND VEGETATION: CHALLENGES FOR PLANTS AND PEOPLE 11:40 –12: 00 Wilson A. Taylor – DETAILED STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF SPORE TETRADS AND DYADS FROM THE CAMBRIAN OF NORTH AMERICA. 12:00–12:20 Thomas N. Taylor, Michael Krings, Hans Kerp and Hagen Hass – MICROORGANISMS AND THE EARLY EVOLUTION AND DIVERSIFICATION OF VASCULAR PLANTS 12:20–12:40 Charles H. Wellman – THE ORIGIN AND DIVERSIFICATION(S) OF LAND PLANTS: INTEGRATING EVIDENCE FROM DIS- PERSED SPORE AND MEGAFOSSIL RECORDS THROUGH IN SITU SPORES 12:40–13:00 Alan Channing – ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF LOWER DEVONIAN RHYNIE CHERT PLANTS

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Symposium Reproductive structures of Cretaceous angiosperms (convenors Else Marie Friis and Jiří Kvaček) 11: 00 –11:40 Peter K. Endress – FLORAL STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION – WHAT CAN PALAEOBOTANISTS AND NEOBOTANISTS LEARN FROM EACH OTHER? 11:40 –12: 00 Else Marie Friis, Kaj R. Pedersen and Stefan Bengtson – NEW INFORMATION ON OLD FLOWERS: NON-DESTRUCTIVE ANATOMICAL STUDIES OF CHARCOALIFIED FOSSILS FROM THE CRETACEOUSE 12:00–12:20 William L. Crepet and Maria A. Gandolfo – TURONIAN ANGIOSPERMS FROM NEW JERSEY, USA 12:20–12:40 Maria von Balthazar, Kaj R. Pedersen, Peter R. Crane and Else Marie Friis – CRETACEOUS REPRODUCTIVE STRUC- TURES OF EARLY EUDICOTS 12:40–13:00 Barbara A. R. Mohr, Mary E. C. Bernardes-de-Oliveira and Denise Pons  ANGIOSPERM DIVERSITY AND BIOLOGY OF THE LOWER CRETACEOUS CRATO FORMATION BRAZIL

Tertiary (lecture room B3)

Symposium Cenozoic evolution of open landscapes in Eurasia and interaction with climate change (convenors Volker Mosbrugger and Angela A. Bruch) 11: 00 –11:20 Angela A. Bruch – WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION 11:20 –11:40 Nela Doláková, Marianna Kováčová, Kristina Beláčková and Jana Lázničková – DEVELOPMENT OF THE OPEN LAND AREAS DURING THE MIOCENE IN THE CZECH AND SLOVAK PARTS OF THE CENTRAL PARATETHYS

XI 11:40 –12: 00 Caroline A. E. Strömberg, Lars Werdelin and Else Marie Friis – PHYTOLITH EVIDENCE FOR THE ROLE OF GRASSES IN CAINOZOIC ECOSYSTEM EVOLUTION IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN 12:00–12:20 Ivan Gabrielyan – PLANTS OF OPEN LANDSCAPES IN VOROTAN RIVER BASIN (ARMENIA) IN PLIOCENE – EARLY PLEIS- TOCENE 12:20–12:40 Johanna Kovar-Eder and Zlatko Kvaček – THE INTEGRATED PLANT RECORD (IPR) TO RECONSTRUCT NEOGENE VEG- ETATION 12:40–13:00 Vasilis Teodoridis, Zlatko Kvaček and Dieter Uhl – COMPARISON OF CLIMATIC PROXY DATA DERIVED FROM EARLY MIO- CENE RIPARIAN VS UPLAND VEGETATION (BOTH CO-EXISTENCE AND CLAMP) IN THE MOST BASIN, NORTH BOHEMIA

Quaternary (lecture room B4)

Symposium Quaternary palynostratigraphy (convenors Eva Břízová, Eliška Rybníčková, Pavel Mentlík and Natalia Gerasimenko) 11: 00 –11:20 Pavel Mentlík and Eva Břízová – STARÁ JÍMKA LAKE – IMPORTANT FORMER GLACIAL LAKE IN THE BOHEMIAN/BAVAR- IAN FOREST 11:20 –11:40 Barbora Lučeničová, Petr Kuneš, Vlasta Jankovská, Helena Svobodová, Milan Chytrý, Jiří Danihelka, Nikolai Er- makov, Michal Hájek, Petra Hájková, Marcela Havlová, Martin Kočí, Svatava Kubešová, Pavel Lustyk, Zdenka Otýpková, Jan Roleček, Petr Šmarda and Milan Valachovič – DIVERSITY OF VEGETATION TYPES AND MODERN POL- LEN SPECTRA IN THE WESTERN SAYAN MTS, SOUTHERN SIBERIA 11:40 –12: 00 Laimdota Kalnina – PALEOVEGETATION CHANGES SINCE LAST GLACIATION RECORDED BY POLLEN DATA FROM THE LUBANS PLAIN, EASTERN LATVIA 12:00–12:20 Natalia Gerasimenko – QUATERNARY PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE TRANSCARPATHIAN LOWLAND 12:20–12:40 Elena Yu. Novenko, Yuri G. Pusachenko and Daniil N. Koslov – THE EARLY WEICHSELIAN PALAEOENVIRONMENT IN THE SOUTH VALDAI UPLAND: PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CENTRAL FOREST STATE RESERVE (RUSSIA)

General topics (lecture room B5)

Symposium Taphonomy and palaeoecology (convenors Stanislav Opluštil and Robert A. Gastaldo) 11: 00 –11:40 Andrew C. Scott – PRESERVATION OF PLANTS BY VOLCANIC PROCESSES 11:40 –12: 00 Stanislav Opluštil, Josef Pšenička, Milan Libertín and Jana Drábková – TAPHNONOMY OF THE PLANT ASSEMBLAGE BURRIED BY TEPHRA DEPOSITS OF THE WHETSTONE HORIZON, RADNICE MEMBER (BOLSOVIAN) IN CENTRAL AND WEST- ERN BOHEMIA, CZECH REPUBLIC 12:00–12:20 Arden R. Bashforth and Stanislav Opluštil – EXTRABASINAL PLANT ASSEMBLAGES IN BASIN-MARGIN STRATA: PRE- LIMINARY RESULTS FROM NEWFOUNDLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC 12:20–12:40 Robert A. Gastaldo – HYDROLOGICAL CONTROLS ON THE CONTINENTAL PLANT-FOSSIL RECORD: A MODEL FOR PRES- ERVATIONAL MODES 12:40–13:00 Howard Falcon-Lang and Judith T. Parrish – CONIFEROUS TREES ASSOCIATED WITH INTERDUNE DEPOSITS IN THE JURRASSIC NAVAJO SANDSTONE FORMATION, UTAH, USA 13:00–13:15 GROUP PHOTO ASSEMBLY meet in front of the building 13:15–14:20 LUNCH 14:20–19:00 SESSIONS/SYMPOSIA IN THE SECTIONS

Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

Session Early Palaeozoic plant taxonomy and evolution (Patricia G. Gensel presiding) 14:20–14:40 Patricia G. Gensel – A PERTICA-LIKE EUPHYLLOPHYTE REVISITED 14:40–15:00 Alexei V. Gomankov – DID THE SPONGIOPHYTALES POSSSES STOMATA? 15:00–15:20 Cyrille Prestianni, Frédéric de Ville de Goyet, Pierre Breuer, Philippe Steemans and Philippe Gerrienne – OVU- LATE STRUCTURE EARLY ORIGIN AND DIVERSIFICATION : DID SOMETHING HAPPEN DURING THE GIVETIAN ? 15:20–15:40 Stephan Schultka – A SPINE-BEARING ZOSTEROPHYLL FROM LOWER DEVONIAN STRATA OF WESTERN GERMANY 15:40–16:00 Alexandru M. F. Tomescu, Gar W. Rothwell and Lisa M. Pratt – MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION IN EARLY LAND PLANTS: MODELING, PHYLOGENY AND THE FOSSIL RECORD 16:00–16:20 Aleftina L. Jurina and Marina G. Raskatova – MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PROTOLEPIDODENDRON SCHARIANUM KREJČÍ (1880) EX KRÄUSEL ET WEYLAND, 1929 FROM THE GIVETIAN OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Symposium Reproductive structures of Cretaceous angiosperms (convenors Else Marie Friis and Jiří Kvaček) cont. 14:20–14:40 Kevin C. Nixon – EARLY FLOWERING PLANTS: EVIDENCE FOR AND AGAINST AQUATIC HABIT AND POLLINATION SYN- DROMES

XII 14:40–15:00 Bernard Gomez, Véronique Daviero-Gomez, Carles Martín-Closas and Montserrat de la Fuente – MONTSECHIA VIDALII, AN EARLY AQUATIC ANGIOSPERM FROM THE BARREMIAN OF SPAIN 15:00–15:20 Jiří Kvaček, Reinhard Zetter and Bernard Gomez – PSEUDOASTEROPHYLLITES CRETACEA– HERBACEOUS MAGNOLIID ANGIOSPERM 15:20–15:40 James A. Doyle and Peter K. Endress – INTEGRATING EARLY CRETACEOUS POLLEN AND FLOWERS INTO THE PHYLOG- ENY OF RECENT ANGIOSPERMS 15:40–16:00 Xin Wang, Shuying Duan, Baoyin Geng and Jinzhong Cui – A POSSIBLE JURASSIC ANGIOSPERM FROM WESTERN LIAONING, CHINA 16:00–16:20 Poster session

Tertiary (lecture room B3)

Symposium Cenozoic evolution of open landscapes in Eurasia and interaction with climate change (convenors Volker Mosbrugger and Angela A. Bruch) – cont. 14:20–14:40 Ewa Durska – A MIDDLE MIOCENE POLLEN ASSEMBLAGE FROM CENTRAL POLAND AS ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATIC INDICATOR 14:40–15:00 Dimiter Ivanov, Abdul R. Ashraf, Torsten Utescher, Volker Mosbrugger and Vladimir Bozukov – PATTERNS OF VEGETATION AND CLIMATE EVOLUTION IN THE MIOCENE OF BULGARIA 15:00–15:20 Bai-Nian Sun, De-Fei Yan, San-Ping Xie, Liang Xiao and Li-Jie Wei – CUTICULAR STRUCTURE OF FOSSIL PLANTS FROM NEOGENE IN WESTERN YUNNAN OF CHINA AND ITS PALAEOCLIMATIC SIGNIFICANCE 15:20–15:40 Torsten Utescher, Abdul R. Ashraf and Volker Mosbrugger – CLIMATE AND VEGETATION CHANGE IN THE LATE NEO- GENE OF NORTHWEST GERMANY 15:40–16:00 Arne Micheels, Angela A. Bruch, Volker Mosbrugger, Dieter Uhl and Torsten Utescher – SIMULATING CLIMATIC EFFECTS OF PALAEOVEGETATION CHANGES IN THE LATE MIOCENE USING DIFFERENT CLIMATE MODELS 16:00–16:20 Angela A. Bruch, Dimitry V. Gromyko and NECLIME members – CLIMATE DEVELOPMENT IN MIOCENE OF EUROPE AS A FORCE FOR LANDSCAPE OPENING

Quaternary (lecture room B4)

Symposium Quaternary palynostratigraphy (convenors Eva Břízová, Eliška Rybníčková, Pavel Mentlík and Natalia Gerasimenko) – cont. 14:20–14:40 Inessa A. Karevskaya – THE EVOLUTION LANDSCAPE ZONAL STRUCTURE IN THE RUSSIAN FAR-EAST AT THE PLEISTO- CENE BY THE PALYNOLOGICAL DATA 14:40–15:00 Andrei A. Andreev, Boris P. Ilyashuk, Pavel E. Tarasov, Lutz Schirrmeister, Frank Kienast and Anatoly A. Bobrov – NEW PALAEOECOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF THE LAST INTERGLACIAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE BOĽSHOY LYAAKHOVSKY ISLAND, ARCTIC SIBERIA 15:00–15:20 Olga Borisova – METHOD OF AREALOGRAMS: RECONSTRUCTION OF VEGETATION AND CLIMATE IN THE CENTRAL RUS- SIAN PLAIN DURING THE LATE GLACIAL 15:20–15:40 Migle Stancikaite, Andra Strimaitiene, Rimante Guobyte and Giedre Vaikutiene – LATE GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES AND HUMAN RESPONSE IN THE SARTAILAKE REGION, NE LITHUANIA 15:40–16:00 Pavel E. Tarasov, Wojciech Granoszewski, Elena V. Bezrukova, Malgorzata Nita, Simon Brewer, A. Abzaeva and Heidi Oberhänsli – THE LAST INTERGLACIAL VEGETATION AND CLIMATE IN SOUTHERN SIBERIA: QUANTITATIVE RECON- STRUCTION AND COMPARISON WITH THE EUROPEAN AND CHINESE RECORDS

General topics (lecture room B5)

Symposium Taphonomy and palaeoecology (convenors Stanislav Opluštil and Robert A. Gastaldo) – cont. 14:2014:40 Imogen Poole, Miles Silman and Pim van Bergen – TAPHONOMICAL VALIDATION OF WOOD AS A PROXY FOR PALAE- OECOLOGICAL RECONSTRUCTION 14:4015:00 Harald Walther and Lutz Kunzmann  PALAEOECOLOGY AND TAPHONOMY IN LATE OLIGOCENE PLANT TAPHOC OENOSES OF THE WEISSELSTER BASIN SAXONY, GERMANY 15:0015:20 Dieter Uhl, André Jasper and Abdallah M. B. Abu Hamad – FILLING A GAP IN THE FOSSIL RECORD OF CHARCOAL – RECENT RECORDS OF PERMIAN WILDFIRES 15:2015:40 Christa-Ch. Hofmann and Barbara Meller – TAPHONOMIC IMPLICATIONS ON THE CO-OCCURRENCES OF PALY- NOMORPHS AND DIASPORES PRESERVED IN LACUSTRINE SEDIMENTS 15:4016:00 Josef Pšenička – TAPHONOMY AND CHARACTERISTIC OF CORYNEPTERIS ANGUSTISSIMA (STERNBERG) NĚMEJC FROM VOLCANIC ASH OF THE WHETSTONE HORIZON (BOLSOVIAN) IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN BOHEMIA, CZECH REPUBLIC 16:0016:20 Milan Libertín and Jiřina Dašková – PRIMITIVE GALLERY FOREST FROM THE INTRA-SUDETIC BASINS (DUCKMANTIAN, CZECH REPUBLIC) 16:20–17:00 COFFEE BREAK

XIII Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

Symposium Ferns and lignophytes in Palaeozoic landscapes (convenors Jean Galtier and Brigitte Meyer-Berthaud) 17:00–17:20 Aude Soria, Jean Galtier, Nicholas P. Rowe and Thomas Speck – DEVELOPMENT AND BIOMECHANICS OF THE LATE CLADOXYLOPSIDA (FERNS S.L.): EFFECT OF THE SECONDARY GROWTH 17:20–17:40 Brigitte Meyer-Berthaud and Aude Soria – VERTICILLATE ORGANOTAXIS IN THE CLADOXYLOPSIDA: NEW INFORMA TION ON POLYXYLON AUSTRALE FROM AUSTRALIA 17:40–18:00 Philippe Gerrienne and Brigitte Meyer-Berthauld – THE PERMINERALIZED LIGNOPHYTE REMAINS FROM RONQUIÈRES (MIDDLE DEVONIAN, BELGIUM): PRELIMINARY RESULTS 18:00–18:20 Menno Booi, Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Citter and Isabel M. van Waveren – AN EARLY SPECIES OF PRO- TOBLECHNUM FROM SUMATRA (JAMBI PROVINCE), INDONESIA 18:20–19:00 Poster session

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Symposium Mesozoic and Tertiary polar floras (convenors David J. Cantrill and Edith L. Taylor) 17:00–17:40 Edith L. Taylor – PALEOBOTANY IN ANTARCTICA: LINKING THE PAST TO THE PRESENT 17:40–18:00 Edith L. Taylor, Patricia E. Ryberg and Thomas N. Taylor – FOSSIL TREE RINGS AND WOODY PLANT GROWTH AT PO- LAR PALEOLATITUDES: PERMIAN AND TRIASSIC WOOD FROM THE CENTRAL TRANSANTARCTIC MOUNTAINS 18:00–18:20 David J. Cantrill, Jane E. Francis, Allan Ashworth and Steve Roof – PLIOCENE PLANT COMMUNITIES OF ANTARC TICA 18:20–18:40 Benjamin Bomfleur, Jörg W. Schneider, Robert Schöner, Lothar Viereck-Goette, Hans Kerp and Reinhard Gaupp – NEW MESOZOIC FLORAS FROM NORTH VICTORIALAND, ANTARCTICA 18:40–19:00 Maria Barbacka, József Pálfy and Paul L. Smith – AN EARLY JURASSIC FLORA FROM PUALE BAY, ALASKA

Tertiary (lecture room B3)

17:00–19:00 Meeting of NECLIME & poster session

Quaternary (lecture room B4)

Symposium Quaternary palynostratigraphy (convenors Eva Břízová, Eliška Rybníčková, Pavel Mentlík and Natalia Gerasimenko) – cont. 17:00–17:20 Spassimir Tonkov, Elissaveta Bozilova and Göran Possnert – LATE GLACIAL AND EARLY HOLOCENE VEGETATION HIS- TORY IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN BULGARIA 17:20–17:40 Enikő K. Magyari, John C. Chapman, Bisserka Gaydarska, Elena Marinova and Tamás Deli – LATE GLACIAL VEGETA- TION IN THE THRACIAN PLAIN, SE BULGARIA 17:40–18:00 Angelica Feurdean, Stefan Klotz and Volker Mosbrugger – HOLOCENE CLIMATE VARIABILITY IN NW ROMANIA: A POLLEN-BASED QUANTITATIVE RECONSTRUCTION 18:00–18:20 Enikő K. Magyari, Krisztina Buczkó, Gusztáv Jakab, Mihály Braun and Zoltán Pál – HOLOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY IN THE SOUTH HARGHITA MOUNTAINS, ROMANIA 18:20–18:40 Dafna Kadosh Langgut – PALYNOLOGICAL AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF LATE QUATERNARY SE- QUENCES FROM THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA 18:40–19:00 Poster session

General topics

Session Miscellaneous contributions to palaeobiology (David L. Dilcher presiding) 17:00–17.20 Walton A. Green – USING LEAF ARCHITECTURE TO INFER CANOPY STRUCTURE IN FOSSIL ANGIOSPERM FLORAS 17:2017:40 Neeru Prakash – BIODIVERSITY IN UPPER GONDWANA DEPOSITS OF JABALPUR FORMATION, SATPURA BASIN M.P. INDIA 17:4018:00 Valentin Krassilov – NEW INFORMATION ON FOSSIL GNETOPHYTES 18:0018:20 Natalia Gordenko – NEW ANATOMICAL EVIDENCE ON TAXONOMIC AFFINITIES OF THE MIROVIACEAE BOSE ET MANUM, A PECULIAR GROUP OF MESOZOIC GYMNOSPERMS 18:2018:40 Alexander R. Schmidt – RESIN-PRESERVED MICROORGANISMS OF MESOZOIC AND CENOZOIC AMBER FORESTS, THEIR TAPHONOMY AND PALAEOECOLOGY 18:4019:00 Divya Srivastava and Surya Kant M. Tripathi - PALYNOLOGICAL AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS IN EARLY PALAEOGENE SEQUENCES OF WESTERN RAJASTHAN, INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE BARMER BASIN

XIV FRIDAY, 8TH SEPT., 2006 “STAVEBNÍ FAKULTA ČVÚT FAKULTA ARCHITEKTURY” THÁKUROVA 7, SECOND FLOOR

8:30–13:00 SESSIONS/SYMPOSIA IN THE SECTIONS

Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

Symposium Palaeozoic gymnosperms, systematics and evolution (convenors Hans Kerp, Zbyněk Šimůnek) 8:30–8:50 Michael Krings, Hans Kerp, William A. DiMichele, Dan Chaney and Thomas N. Taylor – NEW INSIGHTS ON GLENO- PTERIS AND OTHER PELTASPERMS FROM THE PERMIAN OF NORTH AMERICA 8:50–9:10 Hans Kerp, Birgit Vörding and Michael Krings – THE DEVELOPMENT OF PINNULES, PINNAE AND FRONDS IN LATE PALAEOZOIC AND MESOZOIC PTERIDOSPERMS 9:10–9:30 Igor A. Ignatiev – THE REGULARITIES IN EVOLUTION OF THE CORDAITEAN PLANTS AND PALAEOZOIC CONIFERS 9:30–9:50 Leyla J. Seyfullah and Jason Hilton – SEED ATTACHMENT IN PALAEOZOIC PTERIDOSPERMS – A REVIEW 9:50–10:10 Genaro R. Hernandez-Castillo, Ruth A. Stockey, Gar W. Rothwell and Gene Mapes – EMPORIACEAE CONIFER FROM THE HAMILTON QUARRY, KANSAS, USA 10:10–10:30 Zbyněk Šimůnek, Stanislav Opluštil and Jana Drábková – RECONSTRUCTION OF CORDAITES BORASSIFOLIUS (STERN- BERG) UNGER (CORDAITALES) FROM THE RADNICE BASIN (BOLSOVIAN, CZECH REPUBLIC)

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Symposium Mesozoic and Tertiary polar floras (convenors David J. Cantrill and Edith L. Taylor) – cont. 8:30–8:50 Jennifer C. McElwain and Peter Wagner – RARITY INCREASES EXTINCTION RISK AT THE TRIASSIC-JURASSIC MASS EX- TINCTION BOUNDARY 8:50–9:10 Rosemary S. Stephens, Jane E. Francis, J. Alistair Crame and Alan M. Haywood – MID-EOCENE PALAEOENVIRON- MENTS IN ANTARCTICA: EVIDENCE FROM FOSSIL CONIFERS OF SEYMOUR ISLAND

Symposium Mesozoic gymnosperms with particular interest in Cheirolepidiaceae conifers (convenors Bernard Gomez and Brian J. Axsmith) 9:10–9:50 Brian J. Axsmith – THE CHEIROLEPIDIACEAN RADIATION FROM A NORTH AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE: RECENT FINDINGS 9:50–10:10 Maria Barbacka, Jadwiga Ziaja and Elżbieta Wcisło-Luraniec – HIRMERIELLA MUENSTERI FROM THE HETTANGIAN OF ODROWĄŻ, POLAND. 10:10–10:30 Xiao-Ju Yang – THE MALE CONE OF PSEUDOFRENELOPSIS DALATZENSIS FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF NORTHEAST CHINA

Tertiary (lecture room B3)

Symposium Tertiary volcanic setting and the plant record (convenors Harald Walther and Zlatko Kvaček) 8:30–9:10 Harald Walther – VOLCANIC FLORAS IN THE PALAEOGENE OF CENTRAL EUROPE 9:10–9:30 Mikhail A. Akhmetiev – THE CENOZOIC FLORAS OF THE SIKHOTE-ALIN VOLCANIC BELT – ECOLOGICAL ASPECT 9:30–9:50 Zlatko Kvaček – VOLCANIC AND RIPARIAN SETTINGS DURING THE LATE EOCENE IN NORTH BOHEMIA 9:50–10:10 Magda Konzalová – MICROPALAEONTOLOGICAL (PALYNOLOGICAL) RECORDS OF THE OHŘE RIFT VOLCANOSEDIMENT- ARY COMPLEXES IN BOHEMIA 10:10–10:30 Lilla Hably, Zlatko Kvaček, Boglarka Erdei and Júlia Tamás  LATE NEOGENE VOLCANIC FLORAS OF THE CARPATHIAN PANNONIAN REGION, THEIR RELATION TO THE INTRAZONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS TO BIOSTRATIGRAPHY

Quaternary (lecture room B4)

Symposium Human impact on Holocene vegetation (convenors Petr Pokorný, Thomas Litt and Eliso Kvavadze) 8:30–8:50 Christa-Ch. Hofmann and Michael Meyer – PALYNOLOGICAL WITNESS OF ALPINE MEADOW DEGRADATION DURING THE LAST 4 000 YEARS, EASTERN LUNANA, NW BHUTAN 8:50–9:10 Eliso Kvavadze – HOLOCENE CLIMATIC OPTIMUMS AND HUMAN IMPACT IN MOUNTAINS OF GEORGIA 9:10–9:30 Galina Pashkevich – PALAEOETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES OF THE NORTHERN PONTOS 9:30–9:50 Enikő K. Magyari and John C. Chapman – THE IMPACT OF PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENTS ON THE HOLOCENE VEGETA- TION OF THE MIDDLE TISZA PALIN, EASTERN HUNGARY 9:50–10:10 Elissaveta Bozilova, Spassimir Tonkov and Elena Marinova – THE PALYNOLOGICAL AND ARCHAEOBOTANICAL RECORDS OF THE COASTAL BLACK SEA LAKE DURANKULAK, NORTHEASTERN BULGARIA 10:10–10:30 Mariana Filipova-Marinova – PALAEOECOLOGICAL EVIDENCE ON THE VEGETATION HISTORY AND HUMAN OCCUPA- TION IN THE COASTAL AREA OF LAKE SHABLA-EZERETZ (NORTHEASTERN BULGARIA)

XV General topics (lecture room B5)

Symposium Fossil wood (convenors Elisabeth A. Wheeler, Pieter Baas and Jakub Sakala) 8:30–8:50 Jakub Sakala, Elisabeth A. Wheeler and Pieter Baas – INTRODUCTION, WELCOME WORD FROM THE EPPC 2006 & IAWA ORGANIZERS 8:50–9:10 Anne-Laure Decombeix, Brigitte Meyer-Berthaud and Jean Galtier – WOOD DIVERSITY IN TOURNAISIAN (EARLY MISSISSIPPIAN) ARBORESCENT LIGNOPHYTES: NEW DATA FROM EUROPEAN AND AUSTRALIAN LOCALITIES 9:10–9:30 Ronny Rößler – UNIQUE AND EXTINCT – PERMIAN CALAMITALEANS CONTRIBUTE TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF SPHENOPSID PALAEOBIOLOGY 9:30–9:50 Petra Matysová – SILICIFIED WOOD FROM THE PERMOCARBONIFEROUS OF EASTERN BOHEMIA, ITS PRESERVATION AND MODE OF FOSSILIZATION – APPLICATION OF MODERN INSTRUMENTAL ANALYTICAL METHODS 9:50–10:10 Martine Berthelin, Jean Broutin, Colette Vozenin-Serra, Anisong Chitnarin, Chongpan Chonglakmani and Henri Fontaine – A NEW PERMIAN WOOD DISCOVERED IN CENTRAL THAILAND 10:10–10:30 Rodney A. Savidge – XYLOTOMIC EVIDENCE FOR FOUR NEW TREE SPECIES IN LATE TRIASSIC ARIZONA, USA 10:30–11:00 COFFEE BREAK

Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

Symposium Palaeozoic gymnosperms, systematics and evolution (convenors Hans Kerp and Zbyněk Šimůnek)  cont. 11: 00 –11:20 Heather L. Sanders and Gar W. Rothwell  FRONDS OF THE LOWER CARBONIFEROUS SEED FERN BUTEOXYLON GORDO NIANUM; A MODEL FOR SPERMATOPHYTE LEAF EVOLUTION 11:20 –11:40 Ashwini K. Srivastava  GLOSSOPTERIS FLORA: SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION 11:40 –12: 00 Sergei V. Naugolnykh – LOWER PERMIAN CONIFERS OF THE URALS (RUSSIA)

Symposium Reproductive structures of Palaeozoic plants and their spores in situ (convenors Josef Pšenička and Jiří Bek) 12:00–12:40 Jiří Bek, Jana Drábková, Jiřina Dašková and Shyamala Chitaley – PHYLLOGENY AND RELATIOSHIP OF SOME ISO- ETALEAN SPORES FROM THE DEVONIAN TO THE PRESENT 12:40–13:00 Stanislav Opluštil, Jiří Bek and Jana Drábková – CYSTOSPORITES AND CAPPASPORITES-BEARING LYCOPSID FRUCTIFI- CATIONS AND THEIR PARETN PLANTS FROM THE BOHEMIAN COALFIELDS, CZECH REPUBLIC

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Symposium Mesozoic gymnosperms with particular interest in Cheirolepidiaceae conifers (convenors Bernard Gomez and Brian J. Axsmith) – cont. 11: 00 –11:20 Guido Roghi, Eugenio Ragazzi, Natalia Zavialova, Evelyn Kustatscher and Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert – UPPER TRIASSIC CARNIAN AMBER FROM THE SOUTHERN ALPS AND ITS PALAEOBOTANICAL IMPLICATION 11:20 –11:40 Evelyn Kustatscher, Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert, Guido Roghi and Natalia Zavialova – CHEIRO- LEPIDIACEOUS MICRO- AND MACROREMAINS FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC (CARNIAN) OF NORTHERN ITALY 11:40 –12: 00 Timothy A. M. Ewin – DISTINGUISHING THE CHEIROLEPIDIACEAE FROM EXTANT CONIFER FAMILIES USING LEAF CUTI- CLE CHARACTERS 12:00–12:20 Lutz Kunzmann  NOVELTIES ON ARAUCARIA JUSS. ARAUCARIACEAE, PINOPSIDA FROM THE EUROPEAN CRETACEOUS 12:20–12:40 Carole T. Gee – A WHOLEPLANT ARAUCARIA FROM THE LATE JURASSIC MORRISON FORMATION OF THE HOWE RANCH, WYOMING, USA, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SAUROPOD DINOSAUR FEEDING ECOLOGY 12:40–13:00 Maria Tekleva, Jiří Kvaček, Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert – EUCOMMIIDITES: ULTRASTRUCTURE AND AFFINITIES

Tertiary (lecture room B3)

Session Tertiary carpological and leaf studies (Dieter H. Mai presiding) 11: 00 –11:20 María A. Gandolfo, Néstor Rubén Cúneo, María C. Zamaloa and Ana Archangelsky  EOCENE POTAMOGETONACE AE FOSSIL FRUITS FROM CHUBUT PROVINCE, PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA 11:20 –11:40 Edoardo Martinetto – DIVERSITY OF SYMPLOCOS IN THE ITALIAN CENOZOIC AND DISTRIBUTION OF FRUIT RECORDS IN SPACE AND TIME. 11:40 –12: 00 Barbara Meller – A NEW RECORD OF PODOCARPIUM PODOCARPUM (A. BRAUN) HERENDEEN FROM MIOCENE SEDI- MENTS IN AUSTRIA WITH SOME BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC AND FLORISTIC ASPECTS 12:00–12:20 Lilla Hably and Zlatko Kvaček  THE FOSSIL HISTORY OF SLOANEA L. ELAEOCARPACEAE IN EUROPE 12:2012:40 Thomas Denk – LEAF ARCHITECTURE IN MODERN AND FOSSIL PLATANACEAE  ARE THERE CHARACTER STATES THAT CAN BE USED FOR FAMILY DELIMITATION? 12:40–13:00 Poster session

XVI Quaternary (lecture room B4)

Symposium Human impact on Holocene vegetation (convenors Petr Pokorný, Thomas Litt and Eliso Kvavadze) – cont. 11: 00 –11:20 Vlasta Jankovská, Petr Pokorný and Libor Petr – LATE GLACIAL AND EARLY HOLOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS FROM LAKE SEDIMENTS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC 11:20 –11:40 Petr Kuneš – IMPACT OF EARLY HOLOCENE HUNTER-GATHERERS ON VEGETATION DERIVED FROM POLLEN DIAGRAMS AND NUMERICAL METHODS: AN EXAMPLE FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC 11:40 –12: 00 Ignacio García-Amorena, Fernando Gómez-Manzaneque, Carlos Morla, Juan Manuel Rubiales, Helena Maria Granja and Gaspar Soares de Carvalho – UNDERSTANDING PRESENT PINUS DISTRIBUTION ON WESTERN EUROPEAN COASTS 12:00–12:20 Zsófia Medzihradszky and Katalin T. Biró – ENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTION OF A MULTICULTURAL ARCHAEO- LOGICAL SITE IN SW HUNGARY, 6 000 BC-1 500 AD 12:20–12:40 Asha Khandelwal, Mohanti Manmohan, Burkhard Scharf and Dieter W. Zachmann – HOLOCENE EVOLUTION OF MANGROVE VEGETATION AT CHILKA LAKE ORISSA, INDIA IN RELATION TO POLLUTION AND ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT 12:40–13:00 Ludmila Mokhova – POLLEN RAIN AND SUBFOSSIL SPECTRA ON SOUTH RUSSIAN FAR EAST

General topics (lecture room B5)

Symposium Fossil wood (convenors Elisabeth A. Wheeler, Pieter Baas and Jakub Sakala) – cont. 11: 00 –11:20 Marc Philippe and Melise Harland – FROM AGATHOXYLON TO ZONALOXYLON, THE DIVERSIFICATION OF MESOZOIC WOODS 11:20 –11:40 Eugenia Iamandei and Stãnilã Iamandei – LATEST CRETACEOUS LIGNOFLORA IN MURES CORRIDOR (SOUTH APUSENI MTS.), ROMANIA 11:40 –12: 00 Evangelos Velitzelos, Dimitrios Velitzelos, Stãnilã Iamandei and Eugenia Iamandei – TERTIARY PETRIFIED PALM TREES IN GREECE 12:00–12:20 Alfred Selmeier – SILICIFIED WOOD FROM THE NEOGENE OF THE NORTH ALPINE MOLASSE FORELAND 12:20–12:40 Martina Dolezych – CONIFEROUS WOOD FROM THE SECOND LUSATIAN SEAM (BRANDENBURG/SAXONY) AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE 12:40–13:00 Nadezdha Blokhina – WOODS OF KETELEERIA (PINACEAE) – OVERVIEW OF DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS, FOSSIL RECORD AND PROBLEM OF IDENTIFICATION 13:00–14:20 LUNCH 14:20–19:00 SESSIONS/SYMPOSIA IN THE SECTIONS

Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

Symposium Reproductive structures of Palaeozoic plants and their spores in situ (convenors Josef Pšenička and Jiří Bek) – cont. 14:20–14:40 Jiří Bek – DIVISION OF CARBONIFEROUS LYCOSPORES 14:40–15:00 Milan Libertín and Jiří Bek – PROPOSAL OF THE NEW CLASSIFICATION OF PALAEOZOIC SPHENOPHYLLALEAN CONES 15:00–15:20 Jun Wang and Jiří Bek – CARBONIFEROUS AND PERMIAN NOEGGERATHIALEAN PLANTS AND THEIR SPORES, PRELIMI- NARY REPORT 15:20–15:40 Jun Wang and Jiří Bek – A NEW SPECIES OF PARATINGIA AND TINGIA FROM THE PERMIAN OF WUDA, INNER MONGOLIA, CHINA 15:40–16:00 Josef Pšenička and Jiří Bek – CARBONIFEROUS FERNS FROM THE BOLSOVIAN, KLADNO FORMATION, CZECH REPUBLIC 16:00–16:20 Jana Drábková, Milan Libertín, Jiří Bek and Stanislav Opluštil – STERNBERGITES GEN. NOV., A NEW SUBARBORES- CENT ISOSPOROUS COMPRESSION LYCOPSID FROM THE PENNSYLVANIAN OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Symposium Evolution of climate in the Mesozoic (convenors Alexei B. Herman and Jiří Kvaček) 14:20–15:00 Robert A. Spicer  CLIMATE AND VEGETATION OF THE MESOZOIC: WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE DON’T UNDER STAND 15:00–15:20 Alexei B. Herman and Jiří Kvaček – PALAEOCLIMATIC INTERPRETATIONS OF THE GRÜNBACH FLORA (EARLY CAMPA- NIAN, LOWER AUSTRIA) 15:20–15:40 Garland R. Upchurch, Jr. – A COMBINED PALEOBOTANICAL AND MODELLING PERSPECTIVE ON LATEST CRETACEOUS CLIMATE 15:40–16:00 Maria G. Moiseeva and Alexei B. Herman – LATEST CRETACEOUS AND PALEOCENE FLOROGENESIS IN THE NORTH PACIFIC REGION: ROLE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND PLANT MIGRATION 16:00–16:20 Jessica Wade-Murphy, Wolfram M. Kuerschner and Stephen P. Hesselbo – EARLY TOARCIAN VEGETATION HISTORY FROM THE KORSODDE SECTION OF BORNHOLM (DENMARK) AND ITS POSSIBLE IMPACT ON TERRESTRIAL CARBON ISO- TOPE RECORDS

XVII Tertiary (lecture room B3)

Session Tertiary palynology and phytostratigraphy (Leon Stuchlik presiding) 14:20–14:40 Reinhard Zetter – THE MIDDLE EOCENE MICROFLORA OF THE PRINCETON CHERT OF SOUTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA (CANADA) 14:40–15:00 Mehmet Serkan Akkiraz, Funda Akgün and Mine Sezgül Kayseri  A QUANTITATIVE PALYNOLOGICAL INVESTIGA TION OF COALBEARING EOCENE SEDIMENTS IN TURKEY 15:00–15:20 Alina I. Iakovleva and Galina N. Aleksandrova – PALEOCENE-EOCENE DINOFLAGELLATES FROM THE VOLGA REGION AND WESTERN SIBERIA(RUSSIA): BIOSTRATIGRAPHY AND APPLICATION FOR REGIONAL PALAEOGEOGRAPHY 15:20–15:40 Eckart Schrank and Samson I. Bankole – PALAEOECOLOGICAL AND AND PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF PALY- NOMORPH ASSEMBLAGES FROM THE PALAEOGENE OF SOUTHWEST NIGERIA 15:40–16:00 Jelena D. Milivojević and Dragana R. Životić – GENESIS OF COAL FROM THE KOVIN DEPOSIT BASED ON THE PALYNO- LOGICAL AND PETROGRAPHIC COMPOSITION 16:00–16:20 Svetlana V. Syabryaj and T. V. Krakhmalnaya – SYSTEMATIC AND PALAEOECOLOGIC REVIEW OF VEGETABLE AND FAUNISTIC ASSEMBLAGES OF NOVOELIZAVETOVKA 1 (UKRAINE)

Quaternary (lecture room B4)

Symposium Human impact on Holocene vegetation (convenors Petr Pokorný, Thomas Litt and Eliso Kvavadze) – cont. 14:20–14:40 Malgorzata Latałowa, Anna Pędziszewska and Joanna Święnta-Musznicka – ECOLOGICAL FACTORS CONTROLING THE LATE HOLOCENE EXPANSION OF HORNBEAN (Carpinus betulus L.) AND BEECH (FAGUS SYLVATICA L.) FORESTS IN NORTHERN POLAND 14:40–15:00 Joanna Święta-Musznicka – THE LATE HOLOCENE OF THE SELECTED LOBELIA LAKES IN THE POMERANIAN LAKELAND (N POLAND) 15:00–15:20 Jacek Madeja, Agnieszka Wacnik, Agata Żyga and Elżbieta Stankiewicz – ANCIENT DNA AS AN INDICATOR OF HU- MAN LOCAL PRESENCE 15:20–16:00 Poster session

General topics (lecture room B5)

Symposium Fossil wood (convenors Elisabeth A. Wheeler, Pieter Baas and Jakub Sakala) – cont. 14:20–14:40 Jakub Sakala – NOVELTIES ON THE CZECH TERTIARY ANGIOSPERM WOOD FOCUSING ON THE SYSTEMATIC AFFINITY OF PLATANUS-LIKE WOODS 14:40–15:00 Stãnilã Iamandei and Eugenia Iamandei – NEW FOSSIL WOODS FROM THE MID-MIOCENE ZARAND PETRIFIED FOREST, ROMANIA 15:00–15:20 Elisabeth A. Wheeler and Steven R. Manchester – FOSSIL WOODS OF ULMACEAE – OLD AND NEW 15:20–15:40 Steven R. Manchester and Elisabeth A. Wheeler – WOOD OF JUGLANDACEAE FROM THE EARLY EOCENE OF MORS ISLAND, DENMARK 15:40–16:00 Olesya V. Bondarenko – RECONSTRUCTION OF WOODY PLANT COMMUNITIES AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS IN THE PLIOCENE OF SOUTHERN PRIMORY’E (RUSSIAN FAR EAST) 16:00–16:20 Marion K. Bamford, Jack Harris and David Braun – PLIOCENE FOSSIL WOODS FROM KOOBI FORA, EAST TURKANA, KENYA 16:20–17:00 COFFEE BREAK

Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

Session Palaeozoic spores and pollen (Jiří Bek presiding) 17:00–17:20 Valentina Mantsurova – PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE LOWER-MIDDLE DEVONIAN BOUNDARY DEPOSITS IN THE SOUTH-EAST OF THE RUSSIAN PLATE, RUSSIA 17:20–17:40 Nina D. Donova – THE ECODYNAMIC MODEL OF FORMATING ANGARA PALYNOFLORA DURING THE LATE PALAEOZOIC STAGE OF SEDIMENTOGENESIS 17:40–18:00 Valentina Mantsurova – PALYNOLOGICAL DATING OF PRESENCE OF THE VOLGOGRAD HORIZON OF FAMENIAN STAGE OF DEVONIAN ON THE LEAFT COAST OF THE VOLGA RIVER, RUSSIA 18:00–18:20 Nina B. Rasskazova – PALYNOLOGICAL ASSEMBLAGES IN THE UPPER VISEAN DEPOSITS OF THE NORTHWESTE OF RUS- SIA (THE NOVGOGRAD REGION) 18:20–19:00 Poster session

XVIII Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Session Cretaceous floristics and palynology (Robert A. Spicer presiding) 17:00–17:20 Lina B. Golovneva – MORPHOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS PARAPROTOPHYLLUM (PLATANACEAE) IN THE CRETACEOUS FLORAS OF NORTHERN ASIA 17:20–17:40 Raymond W. J. M. van der Ham, Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert and Ludo Indeherberge – SEAGRASS FOLIAGE FROM THE MAASTRICHTIAN TYPE AREA (LATE CRETACEOUS, EARLY TERTIARY, NE BELGIUM, SE NETHERLANDS) 17:40–18:00 Howard J. Falcon-Lang and Daniel Oakley – ANALYSIS OF CHARRED ANGIOSPERM WOODS FROM THE CENOMANIAN OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC. 18:00–18:20 Sheldon N. Nelson – ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE ON ALBIAN AGE PALYNOLOGY OF THE PINDA FORMATION, CABI- NDA, ANGOLA 18:20–18:40 Reinhard Zetter and Christa-Ch. Hofmann – MID-CRETACEOUS POLLEN FROM THE VILUI BASIN (SIBERIA) – SEM STUD- IES OF VERY SMALL GRAINS 18:40–19:00 Ekaterina Pestchevitskaya – LOWER CRETACEOUS PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY OF NORTHERN REGIONS OF WESTERN AND MIDDLE SIBERIA

Tertiary (lecture room B3)

Session Tertiary palynology and phytostratigraphy (Leon Stuchlik presiding) – cont. 17:00–17:20 Madhav Kumar – PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY AND PALYNOFACIES ANALYSES OF TERTIARY SEDIMENTS OF ASSAM BASIN, NORTHEAST INDIA 17:20–17:40 Leon Stuchlik, Maria Ziembińska-Tworzydło, Aleksdandra Kohlman-Adamska, Irena Grabowska, Hanna Ważyńska, Barbara Słodkowska and Anna Sadowska – ATLAS OF POLLEN AND SPORES OF THE POLISH NEOGENE, VOL.1 – SPORES, VOL.2 – GYMNOSPERMS 17:40–18:00 Maria Ziembińska-Tworzydło and Barbara Słodkowska – ATLAS OF POLLEN AND SPORES OF THE POLISH NEOGENE, VOL. 3 – ANGIOSPERMS (1) – IN PREPARATION 18:00–18:20 Olaf K. Lenz, Volker Wilde and Walther Riegel – VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF MESSEL (GER- MANY): THE INITIAL PHASE OF A MAAR LAKE FROM PALYNOLOGICAL EVIDENCE 18:20–19:00 Poster session

Quaternary (lecture room B4)

Session Miscellaneous contributions to Quaternary palaeobotany and palynology (convenor Olga Borisova) 17:00–17:20 Andriy Mosyakin and Zoya Tsymbalyuk – PALYNOMORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF EXTANT BASAL MONOCOTS: A CLUE TO UNFOLDING TRAITS OF POLLEN EVOLUTION IN CROWN MONOCOT LINEAGES 17:20–17:40 Mikhail S. Romanov and Alexey V. F. Ch. Bobrov – THE STRUCTURE OF FOLLICLES IN FOSSIL AND RECENT AN- GIOSPERMS 17:40–18:00 Olga A. Gavrilova and V. V. Nikitin – STRUCTURE AND IDENTIFICATION OF EAST EUROPEAN AND CAUCASIAN VIOLA POLLEN (VIOLACEAE) BASED ON SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE DATA 18:20–19:00 Poster session

General topics (lecture room B5)

Symposium Fossil wood (convenors Elisabeth A. Wheeler, Pieter Baas and Jakub Sakala) – cont. 17:00–17:20 Denise Pons and Dario De Franceschi – FOSSIL WOOD OUTCROPS OF THE MIOCENE OF WESTERN PERUVIAN AMAZO- NIA AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION 17:20–17:40 Anita Roth-Nebelsick and Wilfried Konrad – WOOD CHARACTERISTICS AND CLIMATE: BIOPHYSICAL APPROACHES 17:40–18:20 Pieter Baas, Frederic Lens, Erik Smets and Elisabeth A. Wheeler – WOOD ANATOMY OF THE ANGIOSPERM TREE OF LIFE REVISITED 18:20–19:00 Poster session

XIX SATURDAY, 9TH SEPT., 2006 WORKSHOP  “HOMAGE TO K AŠPAR MARIA STERNBERG”, NATIONAL MUSEUM, VÁCLAVSKÉ NÁM. SECOND FLOOR, “PANTHEON”

9:00–9:20 Jiří Kvaček – INTRODUCTION, LIFE OF KAŠPAR MARIA STERNBERG 9:20–9:40 Claudia Schweizer – THE HOUR OF BIRTH IN PALAEOBOTANY WITH SCHLOTHEIM, STERNBERG AND BRONGNIART 9:40–9:50 Jiří Kvaček – DETAILS OF THE WORKSHOP ARRANGEMENT 9.50–10.20 COFFEE BREAK

WORKSHOP – “Homage to Kašpar Maria Sternberg”, National Museum, Václavské nám. – cont. (first floor, lecture rooms) 10:20–13:00 Milan Libertín, Jiří Kvaček and Zlatko Kvaček – DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE COLLECTIONS (PALAEOZOIC, MESOZOIC, TERTIARY) AND OLYMPUS MICROSCOPE TECHNIQUE 13:00–14:00 LUNCH 14:00–17:00 SIGHTSEEING TOUR – meeting point in front of the National Museum 17:00–19:00 IOP Executive meeting (National Museum, first floor, lecture room)

SUNDAY, 10TH SEPT., 2006 “STAVEBNÍ FAKULTA ČVÚT FAKULTA ARCHITEKTURY” THÁKUROVA 7, SECOND FLOOR

8:30–13:00 SESSIONS/SYMPOSIA IN THE SECTIONS

Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

Session Miscellaneous contributions to Late Palaeozoic palaeobotany (Robert W. Wagner presiding) 8:30–8:50 Robert H. Wagner – OMPHALOPHLOIOS, A PRIMITIVE LYCOPSID TREE 8:50–9:10 Isabel M. van Waveren, Menno Booi, Johanna H. A.van Konijnenburg-van Cittert – BASINAL AND EXTRABASINAL FOSSIL PLANT ASSOCIATIONS FROM THE EARLY PERMIAN OF SUMATRA (JAMBI PROVINCE), INDONESIA 9:10–9:30 Olga A. Orlova – EARLY CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF NORTH RUSSIA (THE ARKHANGELSK REGION) 9:30–9:50 Néstor Rubén Cúneo and Ignacio Escapa – DIVERSITY OF EARLY PERMIAN SPHENOPSIDS FROM PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA 9:5010:10 Yulia V. Mosseichik – THE EARLY CARBONIFEROUS PHYTOGEOGRAPHY: DYNAMICS OF LOCAL PLANT WORLDS 10:10–10:30 Poster session

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Symposium Mesozoic pteridophytes taxonomy, evolution, palaeoecology (convenors Natalia Gordenko and Valentin Krassilov) 8:30–9:10 Valentin Krassilov – PALEOECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN MESOZOIC FERNS 9:10–9:30 Natalia Gordenko and Valentin Krassilov – ECOLOGY AND LIFE HABIT OF SCHIZAEAСEOUS FERN STACHYPTERIS FROM THE MIDDLE JURASSIC OF MOSCOW REGION, RUSSIA 9:30–9:50 Jiřina Dašková and Jiří Kvaček  FERNS OF THE BOHEMIAN CENOMANIAN AND THEIR IN SITU SPORES 9:50–10:10 Emese Bodor and Maria Barbacka  THE GENERA CLADOPHLEBIS AND TODITES: SOME DOUBTHFUL TAXONOMICAL ASPECTS 10:10–10:30 W. B. Keith Holmes – BACK FROM NEAR-EXTINCTION – THE FERN FLORA OF THE MIDDLE TRIASSIC NYMBOIDA COAL MEASURES OF EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Tertiary (lecture room B3) Session Tertiary palaeofloristics (Steven R. Manchester presiding) 8:30–8:50 Dieter Hans Mai – THE FLORAL CHANGE OF THE RHÖN MOUNTAINS (GERMANY) 8:50–9:10 Zorica Lazarević and Dordje Mihajlović – PALEOFLORA FROM VALJEVO-MIONICA BASIN (SERBIA) 9:10–9:30 Sergey Zhilin – ZHAMAN-KAINDY-I – AN UNUSUAL FLORA OF THE END OF LATE EOCENE IN CENTRAL KAZAKHSTAN 9:30–9:50 Paul J. Grote and Paladej Srisuk  STUDIES OF AN OLIGOCENE FLORA FROM CENTRAL THAILAND 9:50–10:10 Friðgeir Grímsson, Thomas Denk and Leifur A. Símonarson – MIDDLE MIOCENE FLORAS OF ICELAND – SELÁRDALUR AND BOTN FLORAS (15 MA): COMPOSITION, ENVIRONMENT, AND CLIMATE 10:1010:30 Anna Averyanova – UPPER EOCENE FLORA OF AKKEZEN (ZAISAN DEPRESSION, NORTH-EASTERN KAZAKHSTAN)

XX Quaternary 8:30–10:30 Poster session

General topics (lecture room B5) Symposium Palaeophysiology of fossil plants – What can we learn from their functional anatomy and geochemistry? (convenors Wolfram Kuerschner and Friederike Wagner) 8:30–9:10 Jennifer C. McElwain – RECONSTRUCTING ANCIENT ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION – A REVIEW OF THE LAST 20 YEARS AND THE FUTURE FOR STOMATAL-BASED RESEARCH

9:10–9:30 Wolfram M. Kuerschner and Zlatko Kvaček – C4 PLANT AND CLIMATE EVOLUTION LINKED TO MIOCENE CO2

9:30–9:50 Richard S. Barclay, Jennifer C. McElwain and Bradley B. Sageman – TESTING THE PCO2 DRAWDOWN HYPOTHESIS FOR OCEANIC ANOXIC EVENT II (94 MA) USING PLANT CUTICLES

19:50–10:10 Wilfried Konrad, Anita Roth-Nebelsick and Michaela Grein – STOMATAL DENSITY AND ATMOSPHERIC CO2 – MECHA- NISTIC MODELLING APPROACHES BASED ON DIFFUSIONAL RESISTANCES AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS 10:10–10:30 Anita Roth-Nebelsick – COMPUTER SIMULATION OF DIFFUSION THROUGH SUNKEN STOMATA 10:30–11:00 COFFEE BREAK

Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

IGCP 469 session: Pensylvanian terrestrial biotas (Christopher J. Cleal and Stanislav Opluštil presiding) 11: 00 –11:20 Jiří Bek – PALYNOLOGY OF THE BOHEMIAN PART OF THE INTRA-SUDETIC BASIN (BASHKIRIAN-KASIMOVIAN), CZECH REPUBLIC 11:20 –11:40 Christopher J. Cleal – PHYTOGEOGRAPHY OF MOSCOVIAN MEDULLOSALEANS OF EUROPE AND THE CANADIAN MARI- TIMES 11:40 –12: 00 Barry A. Thomas and Yanaki Tenchov – A NEW LOOK AT SUBLEPIDOPHLOIOS STERZEL 12:00–12:20 Tania Dimitrova and Jean Broutin – A RARE MICROFLORA FROM THE ZELENIGRAD FORMATION (CARBONIFEROUS/ PERMIAN BOUNDARY) OF NORTHERN BULGARIA 12:20–12:40 Stanislav Opluštil, Josef Pšenička, Milan Libertín and Zbyněk Šimůnek – A REPORT ON REVISION OF MACROFLO- RAL RECORD FROM THE LATE PALAEOZOIC CONTINENTAL BASINS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN BOHEMIA AND FROM THE INTRA-SUDETIC BASIN 12:40–13:00 Josef Pšenička, Jiří Bek and Erwin L. Zodrow – A COMPARISON OF PECOPTERIDS FROM SEVERAL EUROPEAN LOCALI- TIES AND CANADA (ASTURIAN – STEPHANIAN)

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Symposium Mesozoic pteridophytes taxonomy, evolution, palaeoecology (convenors Natalia Gordenko and Valetin Krassilov) – cont. 11: 00 –11:20 Heidi M. Anderson – TRIASSIC FERNS FROM THE MOLTENO FORMATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 11:20 –11:40 Svetlana Polevova, Valentin Krassilov and Eugenia Bugdaeva – INCIPIENT HETEROSPORY IN A LATE CRETACEOUS FERN FROM THE AMUR REGION, FAR EAST 11:40 –12: 00 Alexandra Shuklina and Svetlana Polevova – DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS IN UNSCULPTURED TRILETE SPORES OF MESOZOIC FERNS 12:00–12:20 Natalia Silantieva – SPORE-BEARING STRUCTURES OF WEICHSELIA, A MESOZOIC EUSPORANGIATE FERN 12:20–12:40 Tatyana Kodrul and Valentin Krassilov – A THALLOID FERN FROM THE CENOMANIAN OF KAZAKHSTAN – A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC FERNS 12:40–13:00 Poster session

Tertiary (lecture room B3)

Session Tertiary palaeofloristics (Steven R. Manchester presiding) – cont. 11: 00 –11:20 Boglarka Erdei, Funda Akgün and Maria Rosaria Barone – A NEW RECORD OF FOSSIL CYCADS FROM THE TURKISH MIOCENE 11:20 –11:40 Ioannis K. Oikonomopoulos, Podromos A. Antoniadis, George I. Kaouras and Hans Joachim Gregor – PRELIMI- NARY PALAEOBOTANICAL ASPECTS OF ACHLADA DEPOSIT IN NW GREECE 11:40 –12: 00 Sergej V. Vickulin – THE EOCENE-OLIGOCENE BOUNDARY IN CENTRAL RUSSIA: PALEOENVIRONMENT AND FLORISTIC CHANGES AT THE EURASIAN BACKGROUND 12:00–12:20 Rashmi Srivastava – VEGETATIONAL PATTERN IN THE NEOGENE SEQUENCES OF INDIA 12:20–12:40 Tatyana Rylova – PALYNOLOGICAL CRITERIA USED FOR THE STRATIGRAPHIC SUBDIVISION OF UPPER OLIGOCENE AND NEOGENE DEPOSITS OF BELARUS 12:40–13:00 Tatyana Rylova – VEGETATION AND CLIMATE OF BELARUS IN THE LATE OLIGOCENE AND MIOCENE

Quaternary 11:00–13:00 Poster session

XXI General topics (lecture room B5) Symposium Palaeophysiology of fossil plants – What can we learn from their functional anatomy and geochemistry? (convenors Wolfram Kuerschner and Friederike Wagner) – cont.

11: 00 –11:20 Mats Rundgren and Friederike Wagner – ATMOSPHERIC CO2: A POTENTIAL PLAYER IN EARLY HOLOCENE CLIMATE DYNAMICS 11:20 –11:40 Birgit Vörding and Hans Kerp – PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON THE APPLICABILITY OF FOSSIL PTERIDOSPERM CUTICLES AS

PROXIES FOR RECONSTRUCTING ANCIENT CO2 LEVELS 11:40 –12: 00 Friederike Wagner and Mats Rundgren – STOMATAL FREQUENCY ANALYSIS: RELIABILITY TESTS AND EVALUATION OF UNCERTAINTIES 12:00–12:20 Dieter Uhl, Hans Kerp and Wolfram M. Kuerschner – REFINING THE ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF LATE PER- MIAN GYMNOSPERMS BY COMBINING MORPHOLOGY WITH CUTICULAR AND INTERNAL ANATOMY 12:20–13:00 Poster session 13:00–14:20 LUNCH 14:20–17:50 SESSIONS/SYMPOSIA IN THE SECTIONS

Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

IGCP 469 session: Pensylvanian terrestrial biotas (Christopher J. Cleal and Stanislav Opluštil presiding) – cont. 14:2014:40 William A. DiMichele, Howard J. Falcon-Lang and W. John Nelson – ECOLOGICAL GRADIENTS WITHIN A MIDDLE PENNSYLVANIAN PEAT MIRE FOREST, ILLINOIS, USA 14:4015:00 Mihai E. Popa – PALEOECOLOGY OF LATE CARBONIFEROUS PLANTS IN THE SOUTH CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA 15:0017:50 Additional presentations and poster session

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Symposium Triassic-Jurassic evolutionary trends and plant-environment interaction (convenors Maria Barbacka and Mihai Popa) 14:20–14:50 Johanna H.A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert – EVOLUTION OF PLANT LIFE DURING THE TRIASSIC AND JURASSIC 14:50–15:00 Mihai E. Popa – EARLY JURASSIC PALEOECOLOGY AND PHYTOSTRATIGRAPHY IN THE SOUTH CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA 15:00–15:20 Evelyn Kustatscher, Michael Wachtler and Johanna H.A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert – HORSETAILS, FERNS AND SEEDFERNS FROM THE MIDDLE TRIASSIC (ANISIAN) LOCALITY KÜHWIESENKOPF (MONTE PRÀ DELLA VACCA) IN THE DO- LOMITES (NORTHERN ITALY) 15:20–15:40 Christian Pott, Hans Kerp and Michael Krings  SEED PLANTS FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC OF LUNZ AUSTRIA: A REVI SION BASED ON CUTICULAR ANALYSIS 15:40–16:00 Maria Barbacka, Jadwiga Ziaja and Elżbieta Wcisło-Luraniec  ADAPTIVE TRENDS IN EARLY JURASSIC FLORA FROM ODROWĄŻ, POLAND

Tertiary (lecture room B3) Symposium Palaeogene floras and global change events (convenors Margaret E. Collinson, Kathleen B. Pigg and Melanie L. DeVore) 14:20–15:00 Mikhail A. Akhmetiev – THE PALEOGENE FLORA OF RUSSIA AND ADJACENT REGION – A REVIEW 15:00–15:20 Tatiana Kodrul and Valentin Krassilov – DIFFERENTIATION OF SPECIES WITHIN TRANS-BERINGIAN GENERA OF CU- PRESSACEAE FROM THE PALEOGENE OF EASTERN ASIA AND NORTH AMERICA. 15:20–15:40 Kathleen B. Pigg, Steven R. Manchester and Melanie L. DeVore – FLORISTIC CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PALE- OCENE-EOCENE TRANSITION IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA AND THEIR EUROPEAN CONNECTIONS 15:40–16:00 Margaret E. Collinson, David C. Steart, Luke Handley, Richard D. Pancost, Andrew C. Scott, Ian J. Glasspool, J erry J. Hooker and Andy Stott – FIRE REGIMES AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS ACROSS THE ONSET OF THE PALEOCENE/ EOCENE THERMAL MAXIMUM, S. ENGLAND

Quaternary 14:20–16:00 Poster session General topics (lecture room B5)

14:20–16:00 Poster session 16:00–16:30 COFFEE BREAK Palaeozoic (lecture room B1)

Session Early Palaeozoic marine microplankton (Oldřich Fatka presiding) 16:30–16:50 Marion Sehnert, Annette E. Götz and Katrin Ruckwied – ACRITARCH ASSOCIATIONS OF THE MIDDLE DEVONIAN SANTA LUCÍA FORMATION (CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS, N SPAIN)

XXII 16:50–17:10 Hossein Hashemi – PALYNOLOGY OF THE GEIRUD FORMATION, ALBORZ MOUNTAINS, IRAN 17:10–17:50 Poster session

Mesozoic (lecture room B2)

Session Miscellaneous contributions to Mesozoic palaeobotany and palynology (Jennifer C. McElwain presiding) 16:30–16:50 Clement Coiffard, Bernard Gomez and Fréderic Thevenard – SYNECOLOGICAL CHANGES FROM THE BARREMIAN TO THE SANTONIAN OF WESTERN EUROPE 16:5017:10 Annette E. Götz, Susanne Feist-Burkhardt, Katrin Ruckwied, Joachim Szulc and Ákos Török – PALYNOFACIES SIG- NATURES OF MESOZOIC EPEIRIC SEAS: CLUE TO RECONSTRUCTION OF BASIN EVOLUTION 17:10–17:30 Katrin Ruckwied, Annette E. Götz, József Pálfy and Jozef Michalík  TRIASSIC/JURASSIC MICROFLORAS OF THE NW TETHYAN REALM: CLUES TO RECONSTRUCTING CLIMATIC CHANGES 17:3017:50 Funda Akgün, Raif Kandemir and Cemil Yilmaz – A PALEOECOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF MIDDLE JURASSIC PALY- NOFLORA FROM NE TURKEY

Tertiary (lecture room B3) Symposium Palaeogene floras and global change events (convenors Margaret E. Collinson, Kathleen B. Pigg and Melanie L. DeVore) – cont. 16:30–16:50 Zlatko Kvaček – VEGETATION OF THE EUROPEAN EOCENE – STATE-OF-THE ART 16:50–17:10 Steven R. Manchester, Margaret E. Collinson and Volker Wilde – THE EXCEPTIONALLY PRESERVED FRUIT AND SEED FLORA FROM MESSEL, GERMANY: AN EXAMPLE OF DIVERSITY, VEGETATION AND DISPERSAL BIOLOGY JUST POST-DAT- ING THE EOCENE CLIMATIC OPTIMUM 17:10–17:30 Melanie L. DeVore, Kathleen B. Pigg and Richard M. Dillhoff – EOCENE-OLIGOCENE FLORISTIC TRANSITIONS IN NORTH AMERICA: CONTRASTS BETWEEN EASTERN AND WESTERN FLORAS 17:30–17:50 Margaret E. Collinson, Peta Hayes and Andrew Ross – REINVESTIGATION OF THE INSECT LIMESTONE FLORA, EARLI- EST OLIGOCENE, ISLE OF WIGHT

Quaternary 16:30–17:50 Poster session

General topics 16:30–17:50 Poster session 17:50–18:00 COFFEE BREAK 18:00–19:00 CLOSING SESSION (lecture room A) 18:00–18:50 Margaret E. Collinson et al. – QUO VADEMUS, AMICI ? INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ON FUTURE ACTIVITIES 18:50–19:00 Zlatko Kvaček – CLOSING OF THE CONFERENCE

MONDAY, 11TH SEPT., 2006

8:00–19:00 POST-CONFERENCE FIELDTRIPS B1–4 (leaders Josef Pšenička, Jiří Kvaček, Zlatko Kvaček, Petr Pokorný) – meet- ing at 8:00 a.m. in front of the building “Stavební Fakulta ČVÚT Fakulta Architektury” – Thákurova 7 (Metro Line A, station “DEJVICKÁ”) 19:00 FAREWELL PARTY, Pilsen Urquell Brewery, Plzeň (return to Prague by buses before 24:00)

TUESDAY, 12TH SEPT., 2006

8:00 FIELD TRIP B3, cont. (return to Prague by bus before 20:00) 9:0012:00 Presentation of Carboniferous plants from the Czech Geological Survey (part of IGCP project)

XXIII POSTERS

Palaeozoic

B1-1 José B. Diez, Jean Broutin and Enrique Martínez-García – PERMIAN MICROFLORA IN THE SOTRES FORMATION, ASTURIAS SPAIN B1-2 Eugeny Karasev and Valentin Krassilov – LEAFY SHOOT – PHYLLOCLADE TRANSITION IN PERMIAN GYMNOSPERMS B1-3 Rainer Butzmann, Thilo Fischer, Hans Kerp, Barbara Meller, Evelyn Kustatscher and Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg- van Cittert – the macroflora from the permian from the Bletterbach-butterloch area (N-Italy). B1-4 Anna Popławska-Raszewska – LATE SILURIAN FLORA FROM THE HOLY CROSS MOUNTAINS, CENTRAL POLAND. B1-5 Josef Pšenička, Jiří Bek and Ronny Rößler – REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS AND ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES OF ZEILLERIA ZO- DROVII SP. NOV. FROM THE LATE PENNSYLVANIAN OF THE PILSEN BASIN, CZECH REPUBLIC. B1-6 Jennifer Morris BORING BIOSTRATIGRAPHY? DATING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF EARLY VEGETATION AND ENVIRONMENTS FROM THE OLD RED SANDSTONE, WALES B1-7 Qi Wang, Geng Baoyin and David L. Dilcher – RECONSIDERATION ON THE GROWTH ARCHITECTURE OF LEPTOPHLOEUM RHOMBICUM DAWSON: A COSMOPOLITAN ARBORESCENT LYCOPSID IN THE LATE DEVONIAN B1-8 Svetlana K. Pukhonto – THE AMERICAN GENUS WATTIA FROM THE MIDDLE PERMIAN OF THE PECHORA BASIN IN RUSSIA B1-9 Maria Paz Castro – THE STEPHANIAN B FLORA OF THE LA MAGDALENA COALFIELD LEÓN, NW SPAIN, A EUROPEAN REFER ENCE

Mesozoic

B2-1 Mary E. Bernardes-de-Oliveira, Barbara Mohr, Denise Pons, Robert Loveridge, Fresia Ricardi-Branco, M. Cristina de Castro-Fernandes – SCHIZAEACEAN FERNS FROM IBERIAN RANGE, CENTRAL SPAIN B2-2 Soledad Garcia Gil and José B. Diez – PALYNOFACIES SIGNATURES OF MESOZOIC EPEIRIC SEAS: CLUE TO RECONSTRUCTION OF BASIN EVOLUTION B2-3 Luis M. Sender, Javier Ferrer, Uxue Villanueva-Amadoz, José B. Diez and Denise Pons – MIDDLE ALBIAN FERNS FROM VALLE DEL RÍO MARTÍN (TERUEL, SPAIN). THE EARLY CRETACEOUS CRATO FORMATION, NORTHEAST BRAZIL B2-4 Alexander R. Schmidt and Heinrich Dörfelt – CENOZOIC MATONIACEAE FROM EUROPEAN AMBER B2-5 Sofia B. Smirnova – THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF WELWITSCHIACEAE B2-6 I. V. Smokotina – THE MIDDLE AND MIDDLE–LATE JURASSIC VEGETATION OF THE WESTERN PART OF KANSK-ACHINSK COAL BASIN (SOUTH OF EAST SIBERIA) B2-7 Xiao-Ju Yang, Sheng-Hui Deng and Wen-Ben Li – A NEW CHEIROLEPIDIACEOUS CONIFER FROM THE EARLY JURASSIC OF THE JUNGGAR BASIN, NORTHERN XINJIANG AND ITS PALEOCLIMATIC B2-8 Anais Boura and Dario De Franceschi – EARLY CRETACEOUS PROTOPINACEAE IN SOUTH DOBROGEA, ROMANIA. B2-9 Masamichi Takahashi – KAMIKITABA LOCALITY, (ASHIZAWA FORMATION, FUTABA GROUP, LOWER CONIACIAN, UPPER CRETA- CEOUS) OF NORTHEAST JAPAN B2-10 Zuzana Váchová and Jiří Kvaček – SUMMARY ON THE FLORA OF THE KLIKOV FORMATION B2-11 Evelyn Kustatscher, Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert and Piero Gianolla – THE FLORA OF KÜHWIESENKOPF / MONTE PRÀ DELLA VACCA DOLOMITES, NITALY: RECONSTRUCTIONS OF AN ANISIAN MIDDLE TRIASSIC PALAEOENVIRON MENT B2-12 Magdy S. Mahmoud – PALYNOLOGICAL AGE, CLIMATE AND DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF SOME FAUNALACKING SEDI MENTS IN SOUTHERN EGYPT: WITH EMPHASIS ON CRETACEOUS STRATIGRAPHY B2-13 Giovanna Franceschini, Antonella Miola, Guido Roghi and Marco Tonon – JURASSIC FOSSIL STEM FROM THE VAJONT VAL LEY NORTHEASTERN ITALY  PRELIMINARY STUDIES B2-14 Henriette Méon, Marcela Svobodová, Gaëtan Guignard and Blanka Pacltová – EARLY NORMAPOLLES EVOLUTION IN THE UPPER CRETACEOUS, CENOMANIAN AND TURONIAN, IN FRANCE AND CZECH REPUBLIC B2-15 Marcela Svobodová and Jiří Žítt  PALYNOMORPH DISTRIBUTION AND NEW PALAOENVIRONMENTAL DATA UPPER TURO NIAN, BOHEMIAN CRETACEOUS BASIN B2-16 Alexandra Shuklina – PALYNOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF EARLY CRETACEOUS  CENOMANIAN CLIMATES AND THE ADVENT OF ANGIOSPERMS IN SOUTHERN PRIMORYE, RUSSIAN FAR EAST B2-17 Montserrat De la Fuente, Reinhard Zetter, Carles Martín-Closas and Bernard Gomez – LATE BARREMIAN DELTA PLAIN VEGETATION BEYOND CHEIROLEPIDIACEOUS SWAMPS (UÑA, SW IBERIAN RANGES, SPAIN): A PALYNOLOGICAL APPROACH B2-18 Uxue Villanueva-Amadoz, Denise Pons, Luis M. Sender, José B. Diez and Javier Ferrer – PALYNOLOGICAL DATA OF ES- CUCHA FORMATION IN THE IBERIAN RANGE (SPAIN) B2-19 Annette E. Götz, Susanne Feist-Burkhardt, Katrin Ruckwied, Joachim Szulc and Ákos Török – MICROFLORA OF THE “MUSCHELKALK SEDIMENTARY CYCLE” IN THE NW B2-20 Anna N. Trubicyna – ECOTONE STATUS OF SHAIM REGION (NORTH-WEST OF WESTERN SIBERIA) IN THE MIDDLE JURASSIC

XXIV B2-21 Freshteh Sajjadi – PALYNOLOGY OF THE KASHAFRUD FORMATION, SOUTHEAST OF MASHHAD, NORTHEASTERN IRAN B2-22 Anna Maria Ociepa – NEW DATA ON EARLY JURASSIC FLORA FROM WEST ANTARCTICA B2-23 Katrin Ruckwied, Annette E. Götz, János Haas and József Pálfy – THE TRIASSIC/JURASSIC BOUNDARY OF THE NW TETHY AN REALM N HUNGARY: PALYNOFACIES AS TOOL TO RECONSTRUCT THE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT B2-24 Jassica Wade-Murphy and Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert – A REVISION OF THE LATE TRIASSIC FLORA FROM THE RIAU ARCHIPELAGO [INDONESIA]. B2-25 Jessica Wade-Murphy, Wolfram M. Kuerschner – A NEW TECHNIQUE TO INFER THE BOTANICAL AFFINITY OF PALY- NOMORPHS, AND ITS APPLICATION ON SPHERIPOLLENITES PSILATUS FROM THE TOARCIAN OF BORNHOLM, DENMARK B2-26 José B. Diez, Soledad Garcia-Gil, Castor Muñoz-Sobrino and Jorge Iglesias – PALYNOLOGICAL DATA IN RECENT MARINE SEDIMENTS FROM THE RÍA DE VIGO (NW SPAIN) B2-27 Julia I. Rostovtseva – REVISION OF THE GENUS DUPLEXISPORITES (DEÁK) PLAYFORD ET DETTMANN B2-28 Nicoletta Buratti, Simonetta Cirilli, Piero Gianolla, Peter A. Hochuli, Evelyn Kustatscher, Nereo Preto and Guido Roghi – PALAEOCLIMATIC VARIATIONS DURING THE MIDDLE AND UPPER TRIASSIC OF THE SOUTHERN ALPS B2-29 Natalya V. Nosova – NEW FINDINGS OF THE GENUS OSWALDHEERIA M.N. BOSE ET MANUM (MIROVIACEAE, CONIFERS) B2-30 Harufumi Nishida – A CERCIDIPHYLLUM-LIKE HAMAMELID FRUCTIFICATION FROM THE LATE CRETACEOUS OF HOKKAIDO, JAPAN B2-31 Hylke F. Bosma, Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert and Raymond W. J. M. van der Ham – CONIFERS FROM THE SANTONIAN LATE CRETACEOUS FLORA OF SOUTH LIMBURG THE NETHERLANDS B2-32 Anna Goryacheva – PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE LOWER JURASSIC DEPOSITS OF EASTERN SIBERIA B2-33 Marta Waksmundzka – TAXONOMY OF LOWER JURASSIC MIOSPORES AND ITS STRATIGRAPHIC SIGNIFICANCE B2-34 Evelyn Kustatscher and Johanna H.A.van Konijnenburg-van Cittert – TAXONOMICAL AND PALAEOGEOGRAPHIC CONSI DERATIONS ON THE SEEDFERN GENUS PTILOZAMITES

Tertiary

B3-1 Vasilis Teodoridis – REVISION OF THE CONIFEROUS MACROFOSSILS FROM THE LOWER MIOCENE OF THE MOST BASIN B3-2 Sergei V. Vickulin, Zhanna V. Burova, Ludmila A. Panova, Ben A. LePage and Viacheslav Yu. Shalisko – EARLY TERTIARY TAXODIUM BALTICUM FROM EUROPEAN RUSSIA: EVIDENCE OF LEAF CUTICLES, CONE SCALES, SEEDS AND POLLEN B3-3 M. T. Fernández Marrón, Lilla Hably and M. Diaz-Molina – MIOCENE LACUSTRINE PLANT REMAINS FROM TRESJUNCOS (IBERIAN RANGE, SPAIN) B3-4 Júlia Tamás and Lilla Hably – THE MORPHOMETRICAL ANALYSIS OF FOSSIL LEAVES FROM THE OLIGOCENE OF THE BUDA AND BÜKK MOUNTAINS – A POSSIBLE SIGN OF CLIMATIC DIFFERENCE B3-5 Veronika Wähnert, Samuel Giersch and Johanna Kovar-Eder – PALAEOBOTANIC INVESTIGATIONS AT HÖWENEGG (SOUTH- WEST GERMANY, LATE MIOCENE) B3-6 V. F. Tarasevich and S. G. Zhilin – MEGASPORE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF TWO SELAGINELLA SPECIES FROM THE PLIOCENE OF MOISEYEVO (EUROPEAN PART OF RUSSIA) AND THE MIOCENE OF KARTASHOVO (WEST SIBERIA) B3-7 Krassimira Uzunova – MICRORESTS FROM POACEAE IN BULGARIAN MIOCENE B3-8 B. Tsenov – SOME PRELIMINARY DATA ABOUT THE TAXONOMICAL COMPOSITION AND PALAEOECOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF THE MIOCENE FOSSIL FLORA OF BALDEVO FORMATION (SOUTHWEST BULGARIA) B3-9 Ramesh K. Saxena and Gyanendra K. Trivedi – PALYNOLOGY OF KOPILI FORMATION (LATE EOCENE) EXPOSED ALONG UM- RONGSO-HAFLONG ROAD, NORTH CACHAR HILLS, ASSAM, INDIA B3-10 P. Tropina – TOWARDS THE INTERPRETATION OF THE GENUS TUBELA IN VIEW OF A NEW FINDING IN KAZAKHSTAN B3-11 E. A. Sirenko – PLIOCENE DENDROFLORA OF PLATFORM UKRAINE (BY PALYNOLOGICAL EVIDENCES) B3-12 T. Utescher, B. Slodkowska, A. R. Ashraf and V. Mosbrugger  PALAEOCLIMATE AND VEGETATION CHANGES DURING THE RUPELIAN AND THE MIDDLE MIOCENE OF THE POMERANIAN LAKELAND AREA NW POLAND B3-13 Rafał Kowalski – MIDDLE MIOCENE CARPOLOGICAL FLORA FROM KONIN BASIN (CENTRAL POLAND) B3-14 Magda Konzalová and Leon Stuchlik – VEGETATION CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT DYNAMICS ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE PALYNOASSEMBLAGES IN THE CHEB BASIN, WESTERN PART OF THE OHŘE RIFT B3-15 Marianna Kováčová – OCCURRENCE OF BOTRYOCOCCUS BRAUNII KÜTZING IN THE SERBIAN OIL SHALE, ITS COMPARISON WITH RELATED CENTRAL EUROPEAN LOCALITIES B3-16 Galina N. Aleksandrova, Eleonora P. Radionova and Irina E. Khokhlova – LATE PALEOCENE DINOFLAGELLATE CYST AND DIATOM RECORDS FROM THE KAMYSHIN FORMATION (SARATOV AREA, MIDDLE VOLGA REGION) B3-17 Nadja G. Ognjanova-Rumenova – NEOGENE DIATOM ASSEMBLAGES FROM LACUSTRINE SEDIMENTS OF SERBIA AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN THE CORRELATIVE FORMATION IN S-W BULGARIA AND REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA B3-18 N. I. Samsonov – NEOGENE LACUSTRINE DIATOMS FROM GREECE LIKUDI, VEGORA, PROSILIO LOCALITIES  SYSTEMATIC COMPOSITION, ECOLOGICAL FEATURES, PALAEOENVIRONMENT RECONSTRUCTIONS B3-19 Mine Sezgül Kayseri, Funda Akgün, Ayhan Ilgar, Şükrü Yurtsever and Sami Derman – PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY AND PAL- AEOCLIMATOLOGY OF THE ERMENEK AND MUT REGIONS (SOUTHERN TURKEY) IN THE EARLIEST OLIGOCENE PERIOD

XXV B3-20 Nils Lenhardt, Enrique Martinez-Hernandez, Annette E. Götz, Matthias Hinderer and Jens Hornung – PALYNOMORPH ASSEMBLAGES FROM A MIOCENE VOLCANICLASTIC SECTION IN CENTRAL MEXICO (TEPOZTLÁN FORMATION): EVIDENCE FOR PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES B3-21 I. A. Ozerov, N. A. Zhinkina, E. M. Machs, V. V. Ukraintseva and A. V. Rodionov – ON THE PRESERVATION OF THE ANCIENT DNA IN FOSSIL PLANTS B3-22 Funda Akgün, Mine Sezgül Kayseri and Mehmet Serkan Akkiraz – PALAEOCLIMATIC EVOLUTION AND VEGETATIONAL CHANGES DURING THE LATE OLIGOCENE–MIOCENE PERIOD IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL ANATOLIA (TURKEY) B3-23 Mine Sezgül Kayseri, Funda Akgün and Ecmel Erlat – SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF THE EARLY, MIDDLE AND EARLY LATE MIOCENE BASED ON RESULTS OF COEXISTENCE APPROACH IN TURKEY B3-24 Mine Sezgül Kayseri and Funda Akgün – BIOSTRATIGRAPHICAL STUDY OF THE OLIGO-MIOCENE IN THE MUÐLA-ÖREN AND MUÐLA-YATAÐAN REGIONS, WESTERN ANATOLIA (TURKEY) B3-25 Mine Sezgül Kayseri, Funda Akgün, Tanju Kaya and Serdar Mayda – PALYNOLOGICAL AND FAUNAL INVENTIONS OF THE OLIGO-MIOCENE PERIOD IN THE MUÐLA-KULTAK REGION, WESTERN ANATOLIA (TURKEY) – PRELIMINARY RESULTS B3-26 Funda Akgün, Volker Mosbrugger, Mehmet S. Akkiraz, Angela A. Bruch, Torsten Utescher and Volker Wilde  RECONS TRUCTION OF PALAEOCLIMATE, PALAEOVEGETATION AND PALAEOENVIRONMENT BASED ON LEAF FLORAS AND PALYNOFLO RAS OF NEOGENE DEPOSITS IN WESTERN TURKEY B3-27 Barbara Słodkowska – PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE PALEOGENE DEPOSITS FROM NE POLAND B3-28 Viviana Barreda, Luis Palazzesi, María C. Tellería and Liliana Katinas – MAJOR TAXONOMIC EVENTS IN OLIGOCENE-MIO- CENE SUNFLOWER TAXA OF PATAGONIA: FOSSIL POLLEN EVIDENCE B3-29 Manuel Vieira, Lígia Sousa, João Pais and Diamantino Pereira – PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY OF VALE DO FREIXO PLIOCENE (POMBAL, MONDEGO BASIN, PORTUGAL) B3-30 W. Riegel , O. K. Lenz and V. Wilde – SEDIMENTOLOGY AND PALYNOLOGY OF A FLUVIAL SYSTEM FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE COASTAL PLAIN AT HELMSTEDT, NORTHERN GERMANY B3-31 O. K. Lenz, V. Wilde and W. Riegel – CLIMATIC AND VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN THE MIDDLE EOCENE: ORBITAL SIGNATURES IN THE OIL SHALE OF MESSEL (GERMANY) – A PALYNOLOGICAL APPROACH B3-32 Dimiter Ivanov, A. Rahman Ashraf, Torsten Utescher, Volker Mosbrugger, Eugenia Slavomirova and Vladimir Bozukov – LATE MIOCENE VEGETATION AND CLIMATE FROM STANIANTSI BASIN (W BULGARIA): PRELIMINARY PALYNOLOGICAL DATA B3-33 I. A. Iljinskaja and O. N. Arbuzova – FOSSIL SPECIES OF ACTINIDIA OF THE FORMER USSR B3-34 Carole T. Gee, Rolf Gossmann, Nils Riedel – A NEW LEAF ASSEMBLAGE FROM THE LATE OLIGOCENE SILICICLASTIC FACIES AT WINTERMÜHLENHOF NEAR BONN, GERMANY B3-35 Claire M. McDonald, Jane E. Francis, Steve G.A. Compton, Alan M. Haywood, Allan C. Ashworth and Luis Felipe Hino- josa – HERBIVORY IN ANTARCTIC FOSSIL FORESTS B3-36 Mathias Harzhauser and Werner E. Piller – PALAEOGEOGRAPHY, PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHY AND EVENTS IN THE CENTRAL PARATETHS DURING THE MIOCENE B3-37 Thilo C. Fischer, Rainer Butzmann, Barbara Meller and Dirk Hoelscher – ENLIGHTENING THE BIOLOGY OF SPIREMATOSPER MUM B3-38 Louis M. François, Torsten Utescher, Boglarka Erdei, Eric Favre, J. M. Laurente, Arne Micheels, Jean-Piere Suc and Volker Mosbrugger – MODELLING LATE MIOCENE VEGETATION IN EUROPE AND COMPARISON WITH PROXY DATA  RECENT ADVANCES IN INTERPRETING ARBOREAL DIVERSITY OF FOSSIL FLORAS B3-39 Carole T. Gee, Georg Heumann, P. Martin Sander and Jes Rust – THE LATE OLIGOCENE ROTT FLORA REUNITED IN BONN B3-40 Frédéric M. B. Jacques and Dario De Franceschi – MENISPERMACEAE FOSSILS AROUND THE WORLD B3-41 Dieter Uhl, Angela A. Bruch, Christopher Traiser and Stefan Klotz – INTEGRATIVE PALAEOCLIMATE ANALYSIS OF PALAEO BOTANICAL PROXIES  AN EXAMPLE FROM THE MIDDLE MIOCENE OF SOUTHERN GERMANY B3-42 Jan A. van Dam – LATE NEOGENE PRECIPITATION PREDICTIONS ON THE BASIS OF SMALL-MAMMAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE B3-43 Sangheon Yi – LATE PLIOCENE PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY AND CLIMATIC CHANGES OF THE YAMATO BASIN, EAST SEA/JAPAN SEA: ODP LEG 127, BOREHOLE 798B

Quaternary

B4-1 Alla G. Bezusko, Ludmila G. Bezusko and Andriy L. Mosyakin – PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF STUDIES OF UPPER PLEISTOCENE DEPOSITS OF THE VOLHYNIAN AND PODOLIAN AREA (W UKRAINE) B4-2 Tatiana A. Blyakharchuk and Sergei N. Kirpotin – PALYNOLOGICAL EVIDENCES OF DEVELOPMENT OF TERRESTRIAL VEG- ETATION AND FLAT PALSA MIRES IN SUBARCTIC OF WESTERN SIBERIA AS INDICATORS OF GLOBAL CLIMATIC CHANGES AND ENDOGENIC MIRE PROCESSES IN HOLOCENE B4-3 Yulia V. Bratushchak. and Tatyana I. Marchenko-Vagapova – ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATIC CHANGES DURING THE HOLOCENE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOMI: RECONSTRUCTION BASED ON PALYNOLOGICAL AND DIATOM DATA

XXVI B4-4 Eva Břízová – THE LAKES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC – PALYNOLOGICAL AND PALAEOALGOLOGICAL STUDY B4-5 Eva Břízová and Pavel Mentlík – STARÁ JÍMKA LAKE – RESOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT LATE-GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE DEVELOPMENT OF LANDSCAPE, VEGETATION AND LAKE BIOTOPE (BOHEMIAN/BAVARIAN FOREST, CZECH REPUBLIC) B4-6 Andrey Eremeev – RESULTS OF THE PALYNOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LATE GLACIAL PLEISTOCENE DEPOSITS OF THE CAVES VERKHNYAYA AND ZAPOVEDNAYA (SOUTHERN URALS) B4-7 Mercedes García-Antón, Graciela Gil-Romera, Jose Luis Pagés and Ángela Alonso-Millán – THE HOLOCENE POLLEN RECORD IN THE VILLAVICIOSA ESTUARY (ASTURIAS, NORTH SPAIN) B4-8 Anna Chepurnaya – RECONSTRUCTION OF THE VEGETATION ALONG THE LATITUDINAL PROFILE (50–60° N, 10–60° E) FOR VARIOUS TIME SLICES OF THE EEMIAN INTERGLACIAL B4-9 Maryna Komar – THE PALAEOGEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS OF THE UNIQUE LATE PALAEOLITHIC MEZHIRICH SITE (UKRAINE) B4-10 Wipanu Kongjun, Paul J. Grote and David Kay Ferguson – A PALYNOFLORA FROM THE PLEISTOCENE OF SOUTHERN THAI- LAND B4-11 Petr Pokorný, Vojtěch Abrahám and Vlasta Jankovská – VEGETATION HISTORY OF CZECH SANDSTONE B4-12 Elena G. Lapteva – VEGETATION DYNAMIC DURING THE LATE GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE IN THE NORTHERN URAL MOUNTAINS B4-13 Maria Lazarova – HOLOCENE PALYNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION IN THE CENTRAL DANUBIAN PLAIN (NORTH BULGARIA) B4-14 Svetlana Medeanic – PALYNOMORPHS FROM SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF THE SALT MARSHES, SOUTHERN BRAZIL: CORESPOND- ENCE TO VEGETATION COVER AND IMPORTANCE FOR PALEOENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTION B4-15 Lydie Navrátilová – POLLEN ANALYSIS OF THE REJVÍZ BOG B4-16 Petr Pokorný, Dorota Nalepka and Adam Walanus – ISOPOLLEN MAPS FOR THE CZECH REPUBLIC B4-17 Alena Roszková and Vlasta Jankovská – THE POLLEN ANALYSIS OF THE CHOSEN QUATERNARY LOCALITIES FROM THE GIANT MOUNTAINS (KRKONOŠE) B4-18 Natalia A. Rudaya, Andrei A. Andreev, Ivan A. Kalugin, Andrei V. Daryin and Narantsetseg Tserendash – VEGETATION AND CLIMATE OF NORTHWEST MONGOLIA (HOTON-NUR LAKE) DURING LATE GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE B4-19 María Blanca Ruiz Zapata, Alfredo Perez-González, Joaquin Panera, Miriam Dorado, Ana Valdeolmillos, Clemencia Gómez and Maria José Gil García – MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE VEGETATION IN THE VALLEY OF JARAMA RIVER (MARESA SITE. ARGANDA DEL REY, MADRID, SPAIN) B4-20 Valentina Zernitskaya – STAGES OF PICEA, ULMUS, QUERCUS, AND CARPINUS EXPANSIONS IN BELARUS IN THE LATE GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE (POLLEN MAPS) B4-21 Inna S. Zuganova – THE EEMIAN, EARLY WEICHSELIAN AND HOLOCENE WETLAND ENVIRONMENTS OF THE CENTRAL FOREST STATE RESERVE, RUSSIA (BASED ON PLANT MACROFOSSIL ANALYSIS) B4-22 Lyudmila G. Bezusko, Sergei L. Mosyakin and Alla G. Bezusko – ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGES OF THE VEGETATION COVER OF THE OVRUCH RIDGE N UKRAINE IN EARLY MEDIEVAL TIMES 13TH CENTURY A.D. B4-23 Věra Čulíková – MACROREMAINS OF CULTURAL AND WILD PLANTS FROM EARLY MEDIEVAL TO EARLY MODERN ARCHAEO- LOGICAL SITUATION IN THE CENTRE OF PRAGUE – AREAS OF PRAŽSKÝ HRAD (PRAGUE CASTLE) AND MALÁ STRANA (LESSER TOWN) B4-24 Maryna Komar – DEVELOPMENT OF VEGETATION COVER IN POLAND TERRITORY DURING LAST INTERGLACIAL-GLACIAL CYCLE (BASED ON POLLEN ANALYSIS DATA) B4-25 Maryna Komar, Maria Łanczont and Jolanta Nogaj-Chachaj – USEFULNESS OF POLLEN ANALYSIS OF MINERAL-SOIL DEPOS- ITS IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL DEDUCTION (AN EXAMPLE OF THE SITES ON THE KAŃCZUGA PLATEAU, CARPATHIAN FORELAND, POLAND) B4-26 Olga M. Korona – SEED FLORA FROM CULTURAL LAYERS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN WEST SIBERIA FOREST-TUNDRA B4-27 Radka Kozáková, Petr Pokorný and Vlasta Jankovská – POLLEN ANALYSES FROM EARLY AND LATE MEDIEVAL TOWN OF PRAGUE B4-28 Eliso Kvavadze and Goderdzi Narimanishvili – AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH TO THE PALYNOLOGY OF REMAINS FROM MIDDLE BRONZE AGE BURIAL IN SAPHAR-KHARABA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA B4-29 Grażyna Miotk-Szpiganowicz – THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTHERN BALTIC LAGOONS AND THE HUMAN IMPACT ON THESE AREAS B4-30 Nata K. Panova – NATURAL AND HUMAN-INFLUENCED HOLOCENE VEGETATION CHANGES IN THE MIDDLE URALS AND TRANS-URALS (RUSSIA) BY POLLEN DATA FROM PEAT-BOGS B4-31 Galina Simakova, Sergey Savchik, Tomasz Kalicki and Nikolay Makhnach – DELAY BETWEEN POLLEN AND SEDIMENTO- LOGICAL RECORDS OF ANTROPOGENIC INFLUENCE: KEY STUDIES FROM UPPER DNIEPR BASIN B4-32 Joanna Zachowicz – THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VISTULA DELTA (ZULAWY) AREA ACCORDING TO THE PALYNOLOGICAL DATA B4-33 Alexey Bobrov – FRUIT MORPHOGENESIS AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PROCESSES OF GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF MAGNOLIA L. SECTION RYTIDOSPERMUM B4-34 Aija Cerina – STUDIES OF PLANTS MACROREMAINS IN THE QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS OF LATVIA B4-35 Maria Dimou, Andreas Thrasyvoulou and Michael D. Ifantidis – USING NURSE BEES TO RECORD THE POLLEN FLORA OF AN AREA

XXVII B4-36 Maria Dimou, Andreas Thrasyvoulou and Georgios Goras – A STUDY ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN OF ROYAL JELLY B4-37 Nela Doláková, Alena Burešová and Petr Pokorný – USING OF THE FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY ON THE STUDY OF THE REDEPOSITED PALYNOMORPHS B4-38 Olga Gavrilova, O. Y. Sventorzhetskaya, Dmitri A. Britski and Petr I. Tokarev – POLLEN MORPHOLOGY IN THE CHENOPO- DIACEAE: ATRIPLEX L., KOCHIA ROTH., PETROSIMONIA BGE AND SALSOLA L. B4-39 Olga M. Korona – PLANT MACROFOSSILS FROM MAMMOTH LARGE INTESTINE B4-40 Svetlana Medeanic and Lezilda Torgan – SILICOFLAGELLATE RECORDS IN HOLOCENE LAGOON SEDIMENTS IN THE BRAZIL B4-41 Tatyana B. Rylova and Irina E. Savchenko – DISTRIBUTION OF LIME (TILIA L.) IN THE TERRITORY OF BELARUS FROM PALYNO- LOGICAL DATA B4-42 Vanessa Thorn – PHYTOLITHS (PLANT OPAL) FROM THE NEW ZEALAND SUBANTARCTIC B4-43 Zoya M. Tsymbalyuk and A. L. Mosyakin – PALYNOMORPHOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PLANTAGI- NACEAE S.STR.: A PHYLOGENETIC PERSPECTIVE B4-44 Felix Yu. Velichkevich and Ewa Zastawniak – FLORAL ASSEMBLAGES OF PTERIDOPHYTES AND MONOCOTYLEDONS OF THE PLEISTOCENE OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE BASED ON THE CARPOLOGICAL REMAINS B4-45 Anna Chepurnaya and Elena Novenko – VEGETATION AND CLIMATE DYNAMICS IN THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE (PALAEOENVIRONMENT RECONSTRUCTION OVER THE LATITUDINAL TRANSECT) B4-46 Dalia Kisieliene  EOPLEISTOCENE – EARLY PLEISTOCENE FLORAS IN LITHUANIA B4-47 Agnieszka Wacnik, Andrzej Tatur, Tomasz Goslar and Justyna Czernik – LAST CENTURIES OF MAN/ENVIRONMENT INTER- ACTIONS RECORDED IN LAMINATED SEDIMENTS OF LAKE MIŁKOWSKIE, THE MASURIAN LAKE DISTRICT, POLAND B4-48 Sangheon Yi – PROVENENCE OF RECYCLED PALYNOMORPH ASSEMBLAGES RECOVERED FROM SURFICIAL GLACIO- MARINE SEDIMENTS IN BRANSFIELD STRAIT, OFFSHORE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

General topics

B5-1 Dmitri Britski – ONLINE PALYNOLOGICAL DATABASE IN KOMAROV BOTANICAL INSTITUTE OF RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES B5-2 Dario De Franceschi, P. Arab, Anaïs Boura, Jean Dejax, Christiane Gallet, Catherine Hanotin and Peggy Vincent – A DATA- BASE ON THE PARIS MUSEUM COLLECTION OF PALEOBOTANY B5-3 Xin Wang and Yongdong Wang – POSSIBLE TRANSCYTOSIS OBSERVED IN FOSSIL CELLS. B5-4 Igor A. Ozerov, Nadezhda A. Zhinkina, Edvard M. Machs, Valentina V. Ukraintseva and Aleksandr V. Rodionov – ON THE PRESERVATION OF THE ANCIENT DNA IN FOSSIL PLANTS B5-5 Jakub Prokop  EVIDENCE OF PLANTARTHROPOD INTERACTIONS FROM THE LOWER MIOCENE OF THE BÍLINA MINE IN NORTHERN BOHEMIA CZECH REPUBLIC B5-6 Olesya V. Bondarenko, Nadezhda I. Blokhina and Svetlana A. Snezhkova COMPARATIVE WOOD ANATOMY OF THE PLIOCENE QUERCUS PRIMORICA AND LIVING Q. MONGOLICA B5-7 Maxim A. Afonin – TAXONOMIC DIVERSITY OF THE FOSSIL WOODS FROM THE CRETACEOUS DEPOSITS OF RUSSIA. B5-8 Stanila Iamandei and Eugenia Iamandei – NEOGENE TETRACLINIS WITHIN CARPATHIAN AREA B5-9 Eugenia Iamandei and Stanila Iamandei – EARLY CRETACEOUS PROTOPINACEAE IN SOUTH DOBROGEA, ROMANIA B5-10 Anais Boura and Dario De Franceschi – GROWTH RINGS AND PHENOLOGY IN TEMPERATE TREES AND ANATOMICAL CLI- MATIC MARKERS FOR FOSSIL WOOD INTERPRETATION B5-11 Julien Legrand, Jean-Marc Viaud, Daniel Pouit and Denise Pons – UPPER CRETACEOUS WOODY STRUCTURES AND ASSO- CIATED MICROFLORAL DATA FROM WESTERN FRANCE B5-12 Edoardo Martinetto, Alessandro K. Cerutti and Johan van der Burgh – THE GLYPTOSTROBUS EUROPAEUS WHOLE-PLANT IN THE PLIOCENE FOSSIL FORESTS OF ITALY B5-13 Alexander R. Schmidt – RESIN-PRESERVED MICROORGANISMS OF MESOZOIC AND CENOZOIC AMBER FORESTS, THEIR TA- PHONOMY AND PALAEOECOLOGY B5-14 Cajsa Lisa Anderson – ALL WE NEED NOW IS FOSSILS; A NEW PHYLOGENETIC DATING METHOD PATHD8 ALLOWING THOU SANDS OF TAXA AND MULTIPLE FOSSIL CONSTRAINTS

XXVIII ©

7th European PalAeobotany-Palynology Conference

ABSTRACTS

Edited by Vasilis Teodoridis, Zlatko Kvaček and Jiří Kvaček

7TH EUROPEAN PALAEOBOTANYPALYNOLOGY CONFERENCE, PR AGUE

XXIX All submitted abstracts are arranged alphabetically by the first author.

XXX PALYNOLOGICAL CHAR ACTERIZATION AND DATING OF THE UPPER ORDOVICIAN SEDIMENTS MEMOUNIAT FORMATION, NORTHWEST SIRTE BASIN, LIBYA

Faisal H. Abuhmida1 and Abuagila A. El Harbi1 1Exploration Division - Libyan Petroleoum Institute, Tripoli, Gargaresh Road Km7, Libya, e-mail: [email protected]

This study is based on the palynological investigation of conven- ly distinctive marine taxa were recorded which prove to be stratigraphi- tional core samples from wells drilled in the north west Sirte basin, cally useful, such as: Baltisphaeridium longispinosus delicatum, B. aliq- Libya, penetrating the Memouniat Formation. The organic residues are uigranulum, Veryhaqchium irroratum and Villosacapsula steosapelliula. dominated by diverse and well-preserved marine palynomorphs with Comparison of this assemblage with those studied by Hill and Molyneux abundant acritarchs, and chitinozoans, but only few miospores (crypt- (1988) and Grignani et al. (1991) indicate that this level of the Memoniat ospores) with low diversity were recorded. The palynomorphs obtained Formation is of Ashgillian age. The relative abundance and diversity of provided 32 species of acritarchs belonging to 22 genera, 8 species of spores (cryptospores) to acritarchs and chitinozoans have been calcu- chitinozoan belonging to 7 genera and 3 species of cryptospores be- lated and plotted. This shows the palaeoenvironmental deposition of longing to 3 genera. Palynological assemblages have been recognized the Late Ordovician sediments, related to an open marine shelf environ- based on microplankton taxa distribution. A number of morphological- ment.

TAXONOMIC DIVERSITY OF THE FOSSIL WOODS FROM THE CRETACEOUS DEPOSITS OF RUSSIA

Maxim A. Afonin Institute of Biology and Soil Science, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Prospect Stoletiya, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia; Far Eastern National University, 8 Sukhanova Street, Vladivostok, 690600, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

In Russia, the Cretaceous fossil woods have been described from Knowlton, Protocedroxylon Gothan, Araucariopitys Jeffrey, Planoxylon Franz-Josef Land, Kirov Region, Eastern Siberia (Shilkina, 1967, 1986, Stopes, Protocupressinoxylon Eckhold, Brachyoxylon Hollick et Jeffrey 1989, etc.) and Middle Siberia (Nastschokin, 1968). However, till now fos- and Paracupressinoxylon Holden). Among them, the Pinaceae is most sil woods from the Cretaceous of Russian Far East (RFE) have not been abundant and taxonomically diverse and includes 21 species belonging studied, except the woods of Sakhalin described by H. Shimakura (1937), to 1 modern and 5 fossil genera. The position of the morpho-genus Jat- H. Nishida and M. Nishida (1986) and M. Nishida and H. Nishida (1986, senkoxylon Shilkina (1963) among the Conifers is not known for certain 1995). The author together with N. I. Blokhina began a research of the despite these fossil woods show the coniferous anatomical structure. Cretaceous woods of RFE. By this time the woods of North-Western Angiospermous wood remains are not numerous. Dicotyledonous Kamchatka have been studied (Afonin, 2005; Blokhina et al., in print). As woods have been described from the Upper Cretaceous of Middle Sibe- a result, 8 species belonging to 1 modern and 7 fossil genera attributed ria (Dryoxylon Schleiden) and Sakhalin (Aptiana Stopes). to 4 families and a formal group “Protopinaceae” have been identified. The fossil woods of Sahnioxylon Bose et Sah (=Homoxylon Sahni) At present, more than 90 species identified by fossil woods are characterized by a homoxylon type of structure are of a particular inter- known from the Cretaceous deposits of Russia. Namely, the fossil woods est. The woods were found in the Lower Cretaceous of the Eastern Urals of tree ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms as well as the woods of the and Eastern Siberia. A. A. Yatsenko-Khmelevskiy and Shilkina (1964) con- homoxylon type were found in Russia. sidered this genus to belong to some extinct group related to modern Tree ferns are represented by the wood remains of Tempskya Corda Angiospermae. In the contrary, M. N. Bose and S. C. D. Sah (1954) and E. found in the south of RFE (Popov, 1996). Boureau (1957) considered Sahnioxylon as the Bennettitales. Gymnosperms are represented by more than 80 species of Coni- The Lower Cretaceous fossil woods of Russia are dominated by fers belonging to 1 modern and 15 fossil genera attributed to 7 famili- the woods of the morpho-genus Xenoxylon and the group of “Protopi- es: Araucariaceae (Araucarioxylon Kraus), Pinaceae (Cedrus Trew, Pinu- naceae” both characterized by an ancient type of anatomical structure. xylon Gothan, Piceoxylon Gothan, Cedroxylon Kraus, Keteleerioxylon Wood remains of Cupressaceae and Pinaceae are usually uncommon in Shilkina and Pityoxylon Kraus), Taxodiaceae (Taxodioxylon Hartig and the Lower Cretaceous, and Taxodiaceae have not been reported yet. The Glyptostroboxylon Conwetz), Sciadopityaceae (Xenoxylon Gothan), Cu- Upper Cretaceous fossil woods are represented by the abundant and pressaceae (Cupressinoxylon Goeppert and Juniperoxylon Houlbert), taxonomically diverse Conifers dominated by the Taxodiaceae, Cupres- Podocarpaceae (Podocarpoxylon Gothan, Phyllocladoxylon Gothan and saceae and Pinaceae. Circoporoxylon Kräusel) and Taxaceae (Taxaceoxylon Kräusel et Jain) and This work was supported by the Presidium of the Far Eastern Branch a formal group of “Protopinaceae” (Palaeopiceoxylon Kräusel, Pinoxylon of the RAS (grant 06-III-A-05-139).

A PALEOECOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF MIDDLE JUR ASSIC PALYNOFLOR A FROM NE TURKEY

Funda Akgün1, Raif Kandemir2 and Cemil Yılmaz3 1Dokuz Eylül University Department of Geological Engineering, İzmir, Buca, 35160, Turkey, e-mail: [email protected] 2Karadeniz Technical University Department of Geological Engineering, Gümüşhane, 2900, Turkey, e-mail: [email protected] 3Karadeniz Technical University Department of Geological Engineering, Trabzon, 61080, Turkey, e-mail: [email protected]

Jurassic coals, coaly shales, shales and claystones from the Eastern of these sediments. The Liassic-Dogger period in the Eastern Pontides Pontides in NE Turkey have been investigated palynologically in order was characterized by the presence of a rift system which resulted in rock to determine their age and to discuss the paleoecological conditions units of very variable lithology and facies. Widely exposed volcano-sedi-

1 mentary series (Şenköy Formation) and carbonates (Berdiga Formation), Marattiaceae, Osmundaceae, Matoniaceae, Dipteridaceae, Schizaeceae several thousands of meters thick, are disconformably deposited on the and Diksoniaceae. basement which comprises the Pulur metamorphic rocks of Upper Dev- The palynomorph assemblage within the samples from the upper onian-Lower Carboniferous age and granitoides intruding these meta- part of the Şenköy Formation is of typical Middle Jurassic (Dogger) ap- morphics. The Şenköy Formation is ~2–2243 m thick and shows vertical pearance and is characterized by presence of the dinoflagellate cysts and lateral facies changes. The basal part of the Liassic-Dogger Şenköy Ctenidodinium continuum Gocht and miospores include Matonisporites Formation is composed of intercalations of coal, shale, claystone, sand- equiexinus, Dictyophyllidites harrisii, Gleicheniidites senonicus, Cerebropol- stone and conglomerate. The main rocks of this unit are made up of lenites mesozoicus, bisaccate pollen and common Cyathidites minor, Clas- volcanic and turbiditic volcaniclastics including the ammonitico rosso sopollis torosus. In the Şenköy Formation, the overall shape of the paly- horizons. The uppermost part of the Şenköy Formation is dominated by noflora, associated with ammonitico rosso bearing levels from the lower shale, claystone and sandstone interbedded with coals. The volcano- part, as well as plant megafossil evidence of Sphenopteris sp., Cladophlebis sedimentary series in this region are conformably overlain by Late Dog- sp., Phlebopteris sp., Podozamites (conifer), Nilssonia sp., Ctenis sp. (cycas), ger-Lower Cretaceous neritic carbonates in some areas, and by pelagic cycad foliage (Bennettitalean) and fossil wood Agathoxylon sp. support carbonates in other areas. Liassic-Dogger (?Sinemurian-Bathonian) age for this formation. In this study, over 59 species belonging to 41 genera of sporomorph The Middle Jurassic palynoflora of the Şenköy Formation indicates and one each genera of dinoflagellate and acritarch are reported from the presence of coastal cheirolepidiacean, lowland fern and a mixed for- the upper part of the Şenköy Formation. Among them, pteridophytes ests vegetation during that time. The vegetation features signify a hot (ferns) are the dominant group, ginkgoales and conifers are common, and locally dry subtropical-tropical climate. This climatic event can be cycadophytes are quite rare and only represented by Cycadopites. The inferred by relative abundance of Cheirolepidiaceae pollen, which are ptreidophytes are characterised by Cyathidites, Classopollis, Gleicheni- generally considered to indicate warmer and/or drier conditions, and idites, Dictyophyllidites, Matonisporites. The conifers are represented by the high content of tropical-subtropical fern spores, which prefer the Classopollis, Protopinus, Callialasporites, Cerebropollenites, Podocarpidites. transitional conditions between humid and moderate humid condi- The Ginkgoales are only known as Ginkgo. Among the ferns, we have tions. In addition, the presence of dinoflagellates and predominance determined over 30 species belonging to 21 genera from the Şenköy of Classopollis pollen probably indicates close proximity of marine or Formation so far. They have been grouped under six families, including coastal environments.

PALAEOCLIMATIC EVOLUTION AND VEGETATIONAL CHANGES DURING THE LATE OLIGOCENEMIOCENE PERIOD IN WESTERN AND CENTR AL ANATOLIA TURKEY

Funda Akgün1, Mine Sezgül Kayseri1 and Mehmet Serkan Akkiraz1 1Dokuz Eylül University Department of Geological Engineering, Buca-İzmir, 35160, Turkey, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

There are lots of coal-bearing Neogene basins in Turkey and all of during the Early-Late Serravalian due to the increasing of the subtropi- them have been palynological studied up to now. The well preserved cal elements (17.2 to 21.3 °C of MAT and 6.2 to 13.3 °C of CMT). Besides, and diverse palynofloras of these basins from western and central Ana- decreasing of the CMT and MAT values in western and central Anatolia tolia allowed us to reconstruct the vegetation and climate evolution supports the latest Chattian-earliest Aquitanian warming and middle with the help of CoA. We obtained the first quantitative climatic recon- Miocene climatic optimum which is also globally observed. Warm tem- struction for the palynofloras of western and central Anatolia during the perate climatic conditions are observed in the Late Miocene. During the Late Oligocene-Miocene period. early-middle Tortonian, the values are from 15.6 to 21.3 °C for the MAT, The coexistence approach results show that the sedimentation from 5.0 to 13.3 °C for the CMT and between 823 and 1574 mm for the mainly developed on terrestrial environment under the warm subtropi- mean annual precipitation (MAP). They had also dry seasons due to low- cal climatic conditions during the Chattian and Aquitanian period in er boundary of MAP lying at 823 mm during the Middle-Late Tortonian. western Anatolia (16.5–21.5 °C of mean annual temperature (MAT) and From the palaeovegetational point of view, the swamp, mixed 5.5–13.3 °C of mean temperature of the coldest month (CMT)). Warm mesophytic and riparian forests communities were dominant during subtropical climate is suggested during the Chattian and Aquitanian pe- the Late Oligocene-Miocene in western and central Anatolia. However, riod in western Anatolia and becomes cooler in subtropical conditions the palaeotopography of central Anatolia was higher when compared because of decreasing of the P/A-ratio during the latest Burdigalian- to that of western Anatolia because dominance of the mountain forests Langhian. The climate was subtropical in western and central Anatolia was present during the Middle-Late Miocene in central Anatolia.

RECONSTRUCTION OF PALAEOCLIMATE, PALAEOVEGETATION AND PALAEOENVIRONMENT BASED ON LEAF FLOR AS AND PALYNOFLOR AS OF NEOGENE DEPOSITS IN WESTERN TURKEY

Funda Akgün1, Volker Mosbrugger2, Mehmet Serkan Akkiraz1, Angela A. Bruch2, Torsten Utescher3 and Volker Wilde2 1 Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Geological Engineering, İzmir, Bornova, 35100, Turkey, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 3 Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Bonn, Nußallee 8, 53115, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

The Neogene represents a transitional stage between the green- by about as much as 4 °C and were higher than at any time during the house world of the Cretaceous/Paleogene and the Quaternary icehouse Quaternary. Thus, the Neogene represents a more appropriate analogue situation. The global mean annual temperature exceeded recent values for a possible future anthropogenic greenhouse climate than any Pleis-

2 tocene interglacial stage. Moreover, the Neogene is also characterised not understood how the climatic differentiation towards the East, i.e. by major palaeogeographic changes (e.g. closure of the Mediterranean towards higher continentality, developed and what was the influence of Sea, establishment of the Panama land bridge) and by considerable oro- the Anatolian and Caucasian tectonic uplift during this time. graphic movements. To start closing these gaps and to obtain quantitative palaeoclimate In Europe, the Miocene is relatively well represented by sediments estimations for the Turkish Neogene, our project aims to apply a series and predates the more intense climate fluctuations of the Pliocene. Dur- of quantitative methods on micro and macro floras from several West- ing Miocene, the climate in Europe was considerably warmer than today ern Anatolian basins. In this frame, the coaly locations surroundings the and is mostly considered to be of the Cfa-type in the Koeppen classifica- Kütahya, Çanakkale, Uşak, Soma and Büyük Menderes Regions (İzmir- tion. However, the Eastern Mediterranean area is a white spot in most Tire and Aydın-Şahinali areas) have been selected to work. of such studies, and from Turkey there are no quantitative climatic data For palaeoenvironmental and palaeovegetational interpretations, published yet. multivariate statistical methods will also be useful tools for the descrip- Though, the Anatolian realm plays an important role for the under- tion and interpretation of palynological and palaeobotanical data sets. standing of the European climatic history. It has been stated that during The combined analysis of palaeoclimate, palaeovegetation, and pal- the Miocene the latitudinal temperature gradient was much lower than aeoenvironmental data will help to unravel the Western Anatolian cli- today. However, this has been prooved only for Western and Central Eu- mate history, and will contribute to the understanding of the regional rope due to the scarce data cover in eastern and southern areas. It is still Mediterranean and global Neogene climate evolution.

THE CENOZOIC FLOR AS OF THE SIKHOTEALIN VOLCANIC BELT ECOLOGICAL ASPECT

Mikhail A. Akhmetiev Geological Institute RAS, 119017, Pyzhevskii 7, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The Sikhote-Alin volcanic belt is a heterogenous tectonic structure. peared, such as Alnus, Carpinus, Fagus, lobed-leafed Quercus, Vitis, Tilia, Its limits to the east are formed by the Tatarian strait and the Japan sea- and Acer. And also Deviacer is a new element for the Cenozoic Asiatic shore. This belt arose by three stages of volcanic activity: the Senonian- flora. Paleocene andesite-rhyolitic contrast group, Late Eocene-Early Miocene The second level from tuffs and tuffogenic sandstones in the lower andesite-basaltic group and Pliocene plateau-basaltic group. Volcanic se- part of the andesite-basaltic group (Buy, Siziman, Surkum) is assigned quences of every group are separated by gaps from each other. The dating to the Late Eocene-Early Oligocene. Thin limnic lenses (Buy) yielded of volcanite strata are based on radiometric and paleobotanical data. The remains of Cupressaceae, Cercidiphyllum, Macarangites, Palaeocarpinus, plants taphocenoses were influenced by different altitudinal belts above Fagopsis, Craigia, Plafkeria, Acer etc. In ashes plants were buried in the sea level (up to 1000 m and more) as well as environment. Hence, an exact life growth form (Siziman), or transferred from the volcanic surface to correlation of plant-bearing sedimentary intercalations is difficult. accumulate in small lakes within the relief (Surkum). Fossil plants of The uppermost levels of the andesite-rhyolitic group correspond these localities characterize typical slope associations. Some plants with the last period of the Paleocene volcanic activity. In the southern are unusual and have not been determined yet. The main component part of the volcanic belt these lenses accumulated in intermontane val- of the Siziman flora is Metasequoia. Additional elements are: Dryopteris, leys and small lake depressions, probably 500 m above sea level (Zerkal- Onoclea, Larix, various Betulaceae and Ulmaceae. Common are leaves naya and Sobolevka localities). In the northern part (Malo-Mikhailovka of vines (Wistaria and Pueraria). The Surkum flora is similar in age but locality), the fossiliferous layers accumulated in swampy depressions comprises different genera: Myrica, Salix, Alnaster, Rhododendron, and near the volcano situated to the west at ca. 200–300 m above sea level. Vaccinium. This locality originated at a higher level above sea, probably Their age is assumed as Danian or Selandian, based on radiometric data more than 500 m alt. and comparisons of these floras with the coeval Tsagayan and Kivda flo- The representative flora of the third level is Amgu (Oligocene). This ras from the Amur region. Most typical common elements are: Ginkgo ex fossil plant assemblage belongs to typical slope associations. It is domi- gr. adiantoides, Metasequoia occidentalis, Taxodium tinajorum, Cupressi- nated by angiosperms with small and middle size shrub leaves: Rosaceae: nocladus spp., Trochodendroides arctica, Nyssidium sp. (large size), Nyssa Cerasus, Pyrus, Prunus, Sorbus, Spiraea. The main components belong to bureica, Tiliaephyllum tsagajanicum, Platanoidea etc. Elements different gymnosperms: Ginkgo, Podocarpus, Abies, Pinus, Picea, Tsuga, Larix, Pseu- from the Amur region are diverse conifers, various Amentiferae. e.g. Al- dolarix, Metasequoia, and Glyptostrobus. Very few leaf remains belong to nites and Betula (Zerkalnaya and Sobolevka), Corylites and Palaeocarpi- Betulaceae, Fagaceae and Ulmaceae, only Acer is more common. nus (Malo-Mikhailovka), Juglandaceae and Fagopsis (Sobolevka). Ulmus The fourth level corresponds to final stages of the andesite-basaltic furcinervis is a common component of the Kivda flora and the main activity (Dembi and Velikaya Kema localities, Late Oligocene-Early Mi- dominant in the Sobolevka and Zerkalnaya floras. Besides, leaf mor- ocene). The fossil-bearing diatomite accumulated in small lake depres- pho-types recalling Rosaceae (Sorbus and Rubus) also occur there. These sions between volcanic structures. The main components of these flo- Paleocene assemblages have usually leaves and fruits of large sizes. ras are Metasequoia, different Fagaceae (Fagus, Fagopsis, lobed-leafed The sedimentation settings changed quickly (Malo-Mikhailovka). The Quercus, Castanea and Castanopsis), Aceraceae, Craigia, and additional lignites and coaly argillites that accumulated in swampy depressions rarer Сryptomeria, Cercidiphyllum, Ailanthus, Eucommia, Rhus, Metase- yielded Muscites, Equisetum, Onoclea, Dennstaedtia, Asplenium, Fokien- quoia and Fagaceae together with “Engelhardia” fruits. These and Crai- iopsis, Cryptomerites, Amurocyparis, Palaeocarpinus and Corylites. At the gia permit a correlation with same type of floras from the “Engelhardia same time, coarse tuffogenic fluvial sands transported to the depres- beds” of the Russian South Primorie, North West China and North Korea. sion from surrounding volcanic structures comprised remains of Ginkgo, Some elements of these floras, such as Magnolia, Cinnamomum, Lindera, Trochodendroides, and Trochodendrocarpus. Castanopsis, “Engelhardia” etc. indicate warm temperate to subtropical The Late Eocene-Early Miocene floras of the andesite-basaltic group climate in the Oligocene-Miocene transition and Early Miocene. The as- belong to four stratigraphical levels. semblage from Velikaya Kema is distinguished by small leaves and fruits The first level from tuffogenic-sedimentary lenses which arose with- (Craigia, Ailanthus, Eucommia). The Dembi flora includes plants from in the erosional pre-basaltic subsidence relief (Sonye and Svetlovodnaya two different ecological groups: 1) riparian vegetation in periodically localities, Late Eocene) contains Trochodendroides, various Platanaceae, flooded lowlands (Taxodium, Glyptostrobus, Populus); 2) lower zones of Fagopsis, Plafkeria, Craigia, over 10 genera of gymnosperms, such as slopes with broadleaved forests (almost all Fagaceae). The latter asso- Ginkgo, Taxus, Podocarpus, Cryptomeria, Metasequoia, Taxodium, Glypto- ciation with Fagaceae was probably a pioneer formation in this volcanic strobus, Cunninghamia, Sciadopitys, Thuja, Thujopsis and Pinaceae. At the region. Another association from a higher slope zone includes Pinaceae, same time, various angiosperms typical of Oligocene and Miocene ap- Betulaceae and different shrubs.

3 The youngest Miocene fossiliferous levels accumulated after finish- ae (Betula, Alnus, Carpinus) which form more than 70 % specimens, Ac- ing the andesite-basaltic activity. Plant remains occur in sediments of eraceae, Tiliaceae (Tilia, Craigia), Rhamnaceae, Oleaceae, Caprifoliaceae, small grabens and erosional depressions as the first stage of develop- Rosaceae (Spiraea, Sorbus, Crataegus, Rubus, Rosa, Padus) etc. The recent ment of the drainage system. Later, these levels were covered by pla- equivalents – descendants of the Botchi elements – are distributed now teau-basalts and survived under them. The richest Botchi flora (more in South Primorie, in upland forests of the North Japan, North East China than 70 species) accumulated in lacustrine deposits and diatomite. The and the Korean Peninsula. The Botchi forest was most likely ancestral assemblage is typical of slope associations. Main dominants are coni- for Recent forests with Abies holophylla and Carpinus subcordata thriving fers, especially Pinaceae: Abies, Pinus, Larix, Picea, Tsuga, and common today to the north of Vladivostok. Metasequoia and Thuja. The spectrum of angiosperms include Betulace-

THE PALEOGENE FLOR A AND VEGETATION OF RUSSIA AND ADJACENT REGIONS  A REVIEW

Mikhail A. Akhmetiev Geological Institute RAS, 119017, Pyzhevskii 7, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Two main marine systems influenced development of the Paleo- found in more ancient beds than the Kamyshin – type flora known from gene flora and forest vegetation in European Russia and Siberia. 1. A me- the Volga basin in the Ulyanovsk and Saratovsk districts. In the Late Pale- ridional system connected the Tethys with the Arctic basin via the West ocene the Ushia-type flora spread to North Kazakhstan. The Romankol Siberian epicontinental sea and the Turgaian strait. 2. A latitudinal sys- Flora from the Paleocene-Eocene transition (corresponding with a cli- tem connected the East Peritethys with the Atlantic Ocean through the matic optimum) was comprised of various evergreen plants belonging Dnieper-Donetsk sea and western straits (Pripyat and Polish) (Akhme- to Moraceae (Artocarpus, Ficus), Proteaceae (Dryandra), Magnoliaceae, tiev and Beniamovski, 2003). Lauraceae (6 genera), Euphorbiaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Sterculiaceae, The flora and forest vegetation along the Pacific coastal sea in Early Combretaceae, Myrtaceae, Theaceae, Melastomataceae, Araliaceae, Sa- Paleogene were developed under influence of the northern cold stream. potaceae (Sideroxylon), Symplocaceae, Apocynaceae etc. (Makulbekov, This stream went from the North along coasts of Eastern Kamchatka and 1977; Baikovskaya, 1984). The Tethys Flora started changing from the ter- the Sakhalin Sea. This flora survived unchanged under warm-temperate minal Early Eocene connected with climatic turnover from “paratropical” humid climate for a long time. The impact event at the K/T transition to seasonal subtropical monsoon-type. Its main indicator was Castanop- did not influence the flora composition and structure in the Far East. sis (megafossils, pollen). The reason of this change was probably reduc- The changes appeared gradually from the North due to influence of the tion of latitudinal marine arm of sea between the East Peritethys and increasing latitudinal thermal gradient during the Early Paleogene. The Atlantic Ocean, unlike as it was before. Seasonal precipitation regime flora of the Paleocene-Eocene transition reflected a climatic optimum was connected with barrier preventing moisture to penetrate latitudinal by increasingly dominating evergreen plants. Sabal was discovered and preserving southern longitudinal transfer. in Kamchatka and at the Anadyr gulf coast (60–63° N), Myrtaceae – in At the Early Bartonian a new reorganization of marine communica- the area between the Yana and Indigirka rivers (72° N). This flora was tions led to a formation of seasonal winter humid climate with dry and large leaved in the northernmost part of distribution, presumably due hot summer in the middle latitudes of Western Eurasia. Narrow-leaved to limited winter sunlight, but did not differ much from the previous sclerophyllous Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Myricaceae, Eri caceae (Leucothoe), in generic composition. The dominating elements were Polypodiaceae, palms – Trachycarpus and Sabal predominated. During the Middle-Late Ginkgo, Taxodiaceae, Cupressaceae, Trochodendroides, Platanaceae, and Eocene transition the forest vegetation was of the same type in a large Ulmaceae. Reorganization of the flora took place in the terminal Eocene, latitudinal zone from Central Europe to the Pavlodar district (North when formal taxa were replaced by representatives of modern genera of East Kazakhstan). The meridional communication system between the the Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Myricaceae, Ulmaceae, Aceraceae and other Tethys and Arctic basin was eliminated by closing the Kara gate to the families. North. At the K/T transition a vast sea regression was accompanied by cool- Towards the Late Eocene the West Siberian Sea withdrew to the ing. The West Siberian Sea disappeared and marine waters were driven South via the Turgai strait, which was accompanied by cooling. Moist to the Polar cape. The Boreal taxodiaceous-broadleaved deciduous air masses started to enter from the Arctic region to the Central Sibe- flora of the Tsagayan ecotype (Ginkgo, Taxodiaceae, Platanaceae, Tro- rian districts. The climate became even humid. Narrow-leaved oak-lau- chodendroides etc) reached the North and Middle Urals (Lozva locality) raceous forest started changing to deciduous coniferous-broadleaved via a new land connection between East Siberia and Europe. The South polydominant mesophytic forests with Taxodiaceae, Juglandaceae, Boreal Flora migrated to the west from the Amur Region and North-East Hamamelidaceae, and deciduous Fagaceae. Succession of vegetation China. This flora spread to Mongolia, the Zaissan Basin, the Dzhungar started in azonal riparian associations, which later spread over flatlands Alatau and Semipalatinsk districts. along rivers. In the Eocene-Oligocene transition a new cooling began. It Since Danian a Tethys Gelinden ecotype thermophillic flora with was reflected in synchronous changing of forest vegetation into decidu- evergreen plants developed to the west of the Ural under the humid ous mesophytic coniferous-broad-leaved forests of the Turgai-ecotype. “paratropical” climate. During Selandian and Thanetian the basis of this Similar scenario of changes in forest vegetation took place at the same flora was formed by the “Ushia” assemblages with Chamaecyparis, Ushia, time in the Far East. Dewalquea, Macclintockia, Dryophyllum, Lauraceae. This assemblage was

4 THE OLIGOCENE PALYNOFLOR A AND PALEOCLIMATE OF THE INCESU BASIN ON THE NORTHERN PART OF WESTERN TAURIDES ISPARTA PROVINCE

Mehmet Serkan Akkiraz Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Geological Engineering, İzmir, Bornova, 35100, Turkey, e-mail: [email protected]

So far, palynological studies on Oligocene basins, which have been First palynological results indicate an Early Oligocene age for the observed in the restricted areas, have mainly been concentrated on İncesu formation on the basis of abundance and presence of Triatriopol- western Turkey. To extend our palynological studies to the east, we lenites excelsus, Plicapollis pseudoexcelsus, Subtriporopollenites simplex, have sellected the İncesu basin which is located on the northern part of Intratriporopollenites instructus and different kind of spore species such Gönen (Isparta province). Tertiary sediments observed on the northern as Leiotriletes, Verrucatosporites, Polypodiaceoisporites. part of Isparta have been divided into two units named from bottom to The main objectives of this project are: 1) quantitative reconstruc- top as Kayıköy and İncesu formations. The Middle-Late Eocene Kayıköy tion of Oligocene climate evolution of the İncesu formation on the basis formation consists generally of flysch-like turbiditic sediments and is of palynological assemblage, 2) the analysis interaction between pal- unconformably overlain by the İncesu formation. The Oligocene İncesu aeogeography, vegetation and climate and also observation of climatic formation is generally made up of medium to poor-sorted alluvial fan variations through the east, 3) Comparison with published relevant deposits. The thickness of the İncesu formation reaches to the 1500 m. palynological data from other Oligocene basins of Turkey. Locally mudy and coaly intercalations occurred in the sequence.

A QUANTITATIVE PALYNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF COALBEARING EOCENE SEDIMENTS IN TURKEY

Mehmet Serkan Akkiraz, Funda Akgün and Mine Sezgül Kayseri Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Geological Engineering, İzmir, Bornova, 35100, Turkey, e-mail: [email protected]

This study explains the stratigraphical and palaeoenvironmental ment in the upper part of the section on account of the presence of significance of Middle-Late Eocene fossils, the fauna and flora obtained poorly preserved dinoflagellate cysts. The well preserved foraminiferal from the Başçeşme Formation of the Çardak-Tokça Basin (western Ana- record, corals, bivalves and gastropods indicate that the sedimentation tolia) and Yoncalı Formation of the southern part of the Çankırı Basin be- came to the end in the shallow marine environment. tween the Yozgat and Sorgun area (central Anatolia). Additionally, ter- In central Anatolia, based on the outcrop samples, quantitative restrial climatic conditions of the Başçeşme and Yoncalı formations have palynological studies show that the palynoflora is highly diversified, also been discussed on the basis of the coexistence approach method. with 64 genera and 135 species recognized in the palynological assem- The sequence studied is an outcrop from the Başçeşme Forma- blage. The well preserved and diverse palynomorph assemblage indi- tion, deposited in shallow marine to coastal environment without any cates a Middle-?Late Eocene age. The diversified floral and ecological stratigraphic break. 40 genera and 58 species have been recognized in characteristics of the pollen taxa indicates that the Middle-?Late Eocene the palynological assemblage. A well preserved diverse palynomorph Yoncalı Formation in the Yozgat area was characterized by the presence and foraminiferal assemblages document the Middle-Late Eocene age of a complex mangrove swamp with contributions by Nypa, Pelliciera, for the Başçeşme Formation. In western Anatolia, mangrove elements Avicennia, Diporites iszkaszentgyörgyi and dinoflagellate cysts which re- Nypa and Pelliciera have been recorded in this study for the first time. flects warm climatic conditions. The distribution of Diporites iszkaszent- The pollen of Mauritia and Acrostichum occur in the back-mangrove en- györgyi is restricted and closely associated with the other mangrove vironment. Lowland-riparian and montane elements are characterized types and therefore considered to be a part of the mangrove fringe. by the dominance of Myricaceae, Betulaceae, Engelhardia, Fagaceae, Behind the mangrove zone, pollen of Restionaceae, Ephedraceae, Mau- Myrtaceae, Anacardiaceae and Taxodiaceae, Pinus, Abies, Picea, Cathaya, ritia and Proxapertites as well as fern spores are abundant. Lowland and Quercus and Castanea, respectively. Freshwater elements are represent- montane elements are characterized by the dominance of Myricaceae, ed by Sparganiaceae, Pediastrum sp. and Aglaoreidia cyclops. Symplocaceae, Icacinaceae, Quercus, Pinus and Castanea in central Ana- The palynological data show that the samples taken from the lower tolia. Freshwater elements are represented by Sparganiaceae, Nym- part of the section of the Başçeşme Formation indicate the back-man- phaeaceae, Taxodiaceae, Cupressaceae, Crudia, and Nyssa. grove environment. Sedimentation occurred in the mangrove environ-

PALYNOLOGICAL AND INTEGR ATED GEOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE GHARIF FORMATION, HASIR AH FIELD, WEST CENTR AL OMAN

Bader Al Baloushi PDO, P.O. Box 81, Post Code 113, Mina Al-Fahal, Sultanate of Oman

The Permian Gharif Formation in the Hasirah field is some of the onset of the Khuff Formation marine transgression. This study attempts most basinal in Oman (margin of the Rub Al Khali basin). Elsewhere in to relate palynology and palynofacies to these varied sedimentary Oman, this formation comprises an interfingering sequence of shallow facies. Locally derived palynological sequence can be tied into the re- marine, clastic-carbonate, lagoonal, river, lake and paleosol deposits. gional biostratigraphic scheme of Stephenson et al. (2003) and there- The cores in Hasirah yeilded Sakmarian fusulinids in the Haushi Lime- fore the Hasirah sequence can be correlated regionally. It will also be stone Member, algal facies at the base of the Middle Gharif and unusual related to subsurface (Angiolini et al. 2004) and surface (Angiolini et al. storm deposits in the Upper Gharif (with macroscopic plant remains) 2003) macropaleontological studies to allow correlation of Hasirah with which together with ostracod and fish-bearing sediments reflect the surface sequences in the Huqf Outcrop area. A total of 29 samples were

5 analysed from 3 boreholes (Hasirah-1, 10H1 and Hasirah-10H2) located (Saudi Arabia boreholes) proved more problematical. Thirteen palyno- in west central Oman. The taxonomy and stratigraphic distribution of facies types have been identified based on visual assessment of the per- over 50 palynomorph taxa from the Permian rock of Oman is reported. centages of major categories (lath shaped inertinite, equidimensional Two new species are proposed. The palynostratigraphic data indicates inertinite, vertinite, cuticle, amorphous organic matter (AOM) and paly- OSPZ3b & OSPZ3c assemblages in Hasirah-1H1 (Lower Gharif), OSPZ4 nomorphs). During Gharif times, the climate changed from temperate, assemblages in Hasirah-10H2 (Middle Gharif) and OSPZ5 assemblages to arid and then tropical. in Hasirah-10H1 (Upper Gharif). Correlation with Hilwah-3 and Jufrah-1

LATE PALEOCENE DINOFLAGELLATE CYST AND DIATOM RECORDS FROM THE K AMYSHIN FORMATION SAR ATOV AREA, MIDDLE VOLGA REGION

Galina N. Aleksandrova1, Eleonora P. Radionova1 and Irina E. Khokhlova1 1Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Science, Pyzhevskii per. 7, 119017 Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Late Paleocene deposits of Saratovskoye Povolzh’e are represented has been established, which is correlated with NP9b nannoplankton by terrigenous-siliceous deposits of the Kamyshin Formation. Until re- zone and are referred to the global event IETM (Initial Eocene Thermal cently modest finds of siliceous groups of plankton (radiolaria, diatoms) Maximum). Dinocyst assemblages are dominated by Apectodinium and were known from isolated sequences, which did not give valuable age species assigned to the Kenleyia complex (in terms of Crouch et al., 2003) characteristic and resulted in different understanding of this straton and not numerous species similar to Rhombodinium. In the upper part volume. Its age was determined as Thanetian-Early Eocene by different of the sequence, Deflandrea oebisfeldensis (up to 60 %) prevails, mani- investigators. festing a transition from Apectodinium augustum zone to Deflandrea We studied two sequences in the Saratov area, Middle Volga region: oebisfeldensis zone. Dinocyst assemblages with acme Apectodinium the sequence of Dyupa bean, located at the west of the area near the and species similar to Rhombodinium in Dyupa bean are similar to con- Atkarsk city, and a sequence at the Alay River, in the northeastern part of temporary assemblages of Northern Kazakhstan (Iakovleva et al., 2001) the area, to the north from the Vol’sk city. These sequences are basic for and Uzbekistan (Crouch et al., 2003). Possibly, such assemblage is typical the region. In both sequences of the Kamyshin Formation reliable mi- of the northeastern province of Peri-Tethys. cropaleontological characteristic based on dinocyst, radiolaria, diatoms Radiolaria and diatoms have been found only in the lower cycle of has been obtained. The formation is distinctly subdivided by lithology the Kamyshin Formation of the Dyupa and Alay sequences. They are into two cycles, both starting from clays and clays with lenses of flask referred to a transition of zones Tripodiscinus sengilensis-Petalospiris and ending by sands or sandstones, the total thickness being 12–15 m. foveolata by radiolaria and Trinacria ventriculosa zone (upper part) by In Dyupa bean, a sequence of dinocysts has been found in deposits diatoms. According to the composition of the assemblages, both groups of the lower cycle and in the most part of the upper cycle. Alisocysta are correlated with the lower part of the diatom sequence of Sengiley margarita (part) – Apectodinium hyperacanthum zones have been es- sequence of Ul’yanovsk Povolzh’e (Oreshkina, Aleksandrova, 2006) and tablished in the lower cycle. In Western Europe they correspond to the contain Tethys species. nannoplankton zones NP8(part)–NP9a of Late Thanetian. In the dinoc- Thus, the Kamyshin Formation volume in Saratovskoye Povolzh’e is yst assemblage of Alisocysta margarita zone, species of Areoligera, Gla- referred to Late Thanetian and initial Eocene and is represented by two phyrocysta, Spiniferites, Achomosphaera dominate. The Apectodinium large transgressive-regressive cycles. The Dinocyst complex of Apecto- hyperacanthum zone is recognized by the occurrence of the marker dinium augustum zone, which is correlated with IETM level, has been Apectodinium homomorphum. Several new species occur here – Aliso- established for the first time in sequences of the Russian platform. Joint cysta sp. 2 Heilmann-Clausen, Lingulodinium machaeophorum, Opercu- occurrence of siliceous and organic-walled plankton allowed to link re- lodinium severinii, Cerodinium speciosum subsp. glabrum. gional zones on siliceous plankton to the general stratigraphical scale. In the deposits of the upper cycle the Apectodinium augustum zone

ALL WE NEED NOW IS FOSSILS; A NEW PHYLOGENETIC DATING METHOD PATHD8 ALLOWING THOUSANDS OF TAXA AND MULTIPLE FOSSIL CONSTR AINTS.

Cajsa Lisa Anderson Systematic Botany, Uppsala University, Sweden, e-mail: [email protected]

Estimation of divergence times in phylogenetic trees using DNA methods, our recently developed method, PATHd8, gives the most rea- sequence data becomes increasingly popular, but so far dating studies sonable results, with the best agreement with the fossil record, in all have given widely different results, and especially datings of the lower studies performed so far. nodes within the angiosperms and metazoans, have given much older The only way to improve the datings further, and hopefully obtain ages than those obtained from the fossil record. It has been concluded divergence time estimates which approximate the real ages, is to in- in different studies that more taxa, and more fossils are needed for more clude more fossils. The combination of allowing an arbitrary number of reliable age estimates. For this reason, a dating method that can handle fossil age constraints with the capability to analyse thousands of taxa very large data sets with multiple fossil constraints is necessary. instantaneously, makes PATHd8 a strong alternative to other methods. Chronograms obtained by the currently most used methods often All we need now to accomplish better studies, is cooperation between adds a large “ghost range” to the fossil record. Compared to the other biologists and paleontologists.

6 TRIASSIC FERNS FROM THE MOLTENO FORMATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

Heidi M. Anderson South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa and 46 Kurrajong Street, Dorrigo, N.S.W. 2453, Australia

The gymnosperm element of the Late Triassic Molteno Flora has by ferns and forms a low diversity herbaceous assemblage that occu- been published in stages. The first, dealing with the genus Dicroidium pied sandbars of the braided river system. At the Kan 111 TC a root hori- in 1983 was followed by a volume describing other leaves in 1989 and zon contains fern rhizomes with attached sterile and fertile fronds and recently, 2003 on the fructifications. Currently a volume on the Pterop- the ‘whole-plant’ can be reconstructed. sida is in press. The Molteno Pteridopsida are classified in three orders, four fami- In the fossil record most of our knowledge of the evolution of ferns lies, 15 genera and 34 species. Of these, seven genera and 18 species are is based on leaves of the sporophyte generation. The small elusive described from fertile material. A further eight morpho genera and 26 gametophyte generation is virtually unknown. In most Molteno fossil morpho species of unknown natural affinities are based on specimens assemblages for every 10 to 50 sterile fronds one is lucky to find a single known only from sterile fronds. In the Order Marattiales (having spor- fragment of a fertile frond. As the classification is based on the struc- angia with a multi-layered wall and grouped in synangia) the genus As- ture of the spores and sporangia these rare finds of fertile material are terotheca is represented by three species and the genus Drepanozamites of great importance. In the large and carefully curated fossil collection (the first record of this Greenland genus from Gondwana) by two new from the Molteno Formation made over a period of more than 30 years species. The Order Osmundales (having sporangia with a multi-layered it is possible to affiliate or find attached a number of sterile fronds with wall and a group of thickened cells but without annulus or sori) is very their fertile counterparts. However there are a large number of morpho well-represented by four species of Osmundopsis and a further three species (regarded as true ferns) for which fertile foliage is uncertain or new genera including eight new species. The Order Polypodiales (hav- unknown. ing sporangia with a single-layered wall, an annulus and occuring in In the Molteno floodplain ferns were diverse and widespread but sori) is only represented by three species of Dictyophyllum in the Family formed only a minor component of a flora dominated by the gymno- Dipteridaceae. sperms. In the 100 Molteno Taphocoenoses (TCs = localities) studied, Recent publications by Holmes on the Middle Triassic Nymboida ferns occur at 56 TCs and mostly form a low percentage of preserved leaf Flora of the Basin Creek Formation of eastern Australia have revealed flora. At only six TCs are ferns a dominant or sub-dominant element. At a remarkably diverse fern flora with a total of 23 genera and 46 species. 13 TCs ferns comprise between 1 % and 9 % and at 37 TCs are less than Seven genera (four fertile and three sterile) from the Nymboida Flora 1 % of the total preserved leaf flora. also occur in the Molteno but the species are distinct. After Nymboida, Each of the seven primary habitats described from the Molteno the Molteno has the second most diverse fern flora for the Gondwana Floodplain Biome supported a distinctive plant/insect co-association. Triassic. Most other Gondwana Triassic floras need further collecting and The Fern/Kannaskoppia Meadow (No. 7) is the only habitat dominated revision to enable meaningful comparisons with the Molteno Flora.

NEW PALAEOECOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF THE LAST INTERGLACIAL ENVIRONMENT ON OF THE BOL’SHOY LYAKHOVSKY ISLAND, ARCTIC SIBERIA

Andrei A. Andreev1, Boris P. Ilyashuk2, Pavel E. Tarasov3, Lutz Schirrmeister1, Frank Kienast1 and Anatoly A. Bobrov4 1Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Research Unit Potsdam, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2Institute of North Industrial Ecology Problems, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Fersman St. 14, 184200 Apatity, Russia 3Palaeontology Branch, Institute of Geological Sciences, Free University, Malteserstr. 74-100 Building D, 12249 Berlin, Germany 4Faculty of Soil Science Moscow State University, Vorobievy Gory, 119992 Moscow, Russia

Pollen, chironomid and rhizopod records from Bol’shoy Lyakhovsky tion suggests similar to present day climate conditions. Later, during the Island (73°20’ N, 141°30’ E) permafrost sequence document the evolu- interglacial optimum shrub tundra communities with Alnus fruticosa and tion of a thermokarst paleolake and environmental conditions in the Betula nana dominated the vegetation. This is evidenced by pollen and region during the maximum of the Last Interglacial, ca. 130–120 ka ago. plant macrofossils. Climate was relatively moist and warm. Pollen-based Chironomid record points to three successive stages of the paleo- water climate reconstruction suggests that mean July temperatures were at body evolution: peatland pool, pond, and shallow lake. The lake evo- least 4–5 °C higher than the present ones (ca. 4 °C) during the optimum lutionary trend points to intensive thermokarst processes occurred in of the Eemian. Moreover, presence of macrofossils of aquatic plants, such the region during the Eemian. Open Poaceae and Artemisia associations as Potamogeton sp., Myriophyllum verticillatum and Batrachium sp. sug- dominated vegetation at the beginning of the Eemian ca 130 ka BP. Rare gest mean July temperatures ca. 12 °C. Quantitative chironomid-based shrub thickets (Salix, Betula nana, Alnus fruticosa) grew in more protect- temperature reconstructions from the Arctic thermokarst ponds/lakes ed and wetter places as well. The climate was relatively warm during may be problematic owing to other key environmental factors, such as this time, resulting in the melting of Saalian ice wedges and formation prolonged periods of winter anoxia and local hydrological/geomorpho- of thermokarst lakes. Pollen-inferred quantitative climate reconstruc- logical processes, controlling the chironomid assemblages.

7 UPPER EOCENE FLOR A OF AKKEZEN ZAISAN DEPRESSION, NORTHEASTERN K AZAKHSTAN

Anna Averyanova Komarov Botanical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Paleobotany, Russia

The Akkezen flora is one of 11 Late Eocene floras of the Zaisan Depres- The majority of species (about 50 % of the total amount of impres- sion (North-Eastern Kazakhstan). The depression is unique in the degree sions) are endemics of the Zaisan Depression. Species not endemic to the Tertiary profile is characterized by floristic and faunistic macroremains. the area comprise 14.6 %. About 9 % of them are species characteristic of The major role in the investigation of the Zaisan floras was played by stud- the region of distribution of the Gelinden-Poltavian flora – Dryophyllum ies of I. A. Iljinskaja based on materials collected by B. A. Borisov and her curticellense, Myrica lignitum s.l. own collections. The data obtained have permitted to uncover the gen- The Akkezen flora is the most similar to the Late Eocene flora of the eral picture of floristic development in the Zaisan Depression beginning Kiin-Kerish Mountain, “Vassilenko’s flora” (Kazakhstan) and Late Palae- with the Late Cretaceous. Despite the long history of investigation, a most ocene flora of Menat (France). There are relations with Upper Eocene of part of palaeobotanical material is identified preliminarily. Pavlodar Priirtyshye, Karasor flora (Kazakhstan), Badkhyz, the Monakh The collection comprises 137 impressions identified as: Lindera vas- Mountain (Turkmenia), Raichikha (the Amur Region, Russia), and Eocene silenkoi Iljinskaja var. minima Iljinskaja et Averyanova var. nov., Hamame- of Sakhalin and Kamchatka. lis cf. ochotensis Cheleb., Platanus cf. vassiljevii Iljinskaja, Dryophyllum In the Eocene, the Zaisan Depression was part of a palaeofloristic curticellense (Watel.) Sap. et Marion, D. kryshtofovichii Iljinskaja, Alnus province of the Poltavian region and was characterized by a subtropical tarbagataica Iljinskaja et Averyanova sp. nov., Myrica lignitum (Ung.) climate. Modern analogs comparable to two species dominating in the Sap. s.l., Populus kiinkerischiensis Akhmet., Grewiopsis cf. lindstroemianus flora – Dimocarpus zaisanicum and Broussonetia neuburgiae (comprising Budants., Excentrodendron (?) akkesenicum Iljinskaja et Averyanova sp. together about 30 % of the impressions) – are widespread in the trop- nov., Ulmus schischkinii Iljinskaja, Broussonetia neuburgiae (Iljinskaja) Il- ics and subtropics of East Asia and Malesia. Some other species close jinskaja et Averyanova comb. nov. = Hibiscus neuburgiae Iljinskaja 1966, to modern tropical and subtropical ones are also present in the flora – Paleont. zh., 2 : 111, Pl. XII, Figs. 10, 11, Text-Figs. 1, 2, Mimosites sp., Dimo- Apocynophyllum borissovii, Dryophyllum curticellense and D. kryshtofovi- carpus zaisanicum Iljinskaja et Averyanova sp. nov., Alangium tiliifolium chi, Excentrodendron akkesenicum, Grewiopsis cf. lindstroemianus, Lindera (A. Br.) Krysht., Apocynophyllum borissovii Iljinskaja et Averyanova sp. vassilenkoi var. minima, and Ulmus schischkinii. nov., Elaeoides lanceolata Web.

THE CHEIROLEPIDIACEAN R ADIATION FROM A NORTH AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE: RECENT FINDINGS

Brian J. Axsmith University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, 36688, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

The original descriptions of many cheirolepidiaceous conifers were a proxy for a single biological species. Pseudofrenelopsis varians was based on North American fossils. However, recent advances regarding thought to be a small halophyte like modern Salicornia. Based on new this group have been based mainly on European and Asian occurrences. material from Texas, the halophyte interpretation is supported by the This presentation briefly reviews some ongoing research on the North exclusive occurrence of the fossils in carbonate mudstone and limestone American record. The Late Triassic Pseudohirmerella delawarensis has with an abundant marine fauna. However, new collections include ana- been re-described based on material from New Jersey. The previous hy- tomically preserved wood indicating that P. varians was a small tree. This pothesis that this conifer was an early member of the Cheirolepidiaceae species is also reported for the first time from Arkansas, where it occurs is supported based on ovulate cone scale morphology, associated pol- in marine carbonates conformably underlying clastic sediments with len cones, and anatomically preserved wood. The Lower Jurassic of the P. parceramosa. This mutually exclusive facies distribution at a single site Newark Supergroup contains a large cheirolepidiacean dominated flora supports the classic interpretation of P. varians as an obligate halophyte that has not been described in detail. However, new material of ovulate and P. parceramosa as a facultative or non-halophyte. and pollen cones from Massachusetts and New Jersey indicates affini- Frenelopsis ramosissima is typically reconstructed as a succulent ties with European Hirmeriella species. The subsequent Jurassic history shrub that inhabited high diversity, mesic communities. Based on new of the group in North America is unknown. material from central Texas, this plant can no longer be considered The Lower Cretaceous of North America contains a remarkable a Potomac Group endemic. Furthermore, the Texas fossils represent record of the so-called “frenelopsid” cheirolepidiaceans including the a low diversity assemblage with sedimentological evidence for aridity. common Pseudofrenelopsis parceramosa. Based on material from Ar- Associated logs suggest that F. ramosissima was a large tree. Collectively, kansas, it is demonstrated that the pollen cones from the Holly Creek this research demonstrates that North America was a significant locus of Formation were substantially different than those from the classic Isle cheirolepidiacean evolution, and that the rich record on this continent of Wight locality. Clearly, this morphotaxon should not be considered as been seriously underexploited.

8 WOOD ANATOMY OF THE ANGIOSPERM TREE OF LIFE REVISITED

Pieter Baas1, Frederic Lens1, 2, Erik Smets1, 2 and Elisabeth A. Wheeler3 1Nationaal Herbarium Nederland, P.O. Box 9514, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 2Laboratory of Plant Systematics, K.U. Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, BE-3001 Leuven, Belgium 3North Carolina State University, Department of Wood and Paper Science, Box 8005, Raleigh, NC 27695-8005, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

Phylogeny hypotheses of Angiosperms based on DNA analyses be- change, orogeny, or range extension of species into ecologically differ- come ever more robust, and – together with a holistically interpreted ent habitats. Parallel development – e.g. from vesselless to vessel-bear- fossil wood record – offer possibilities to reconstruct xylem evolution ing wood and from scalariform to simple perforations in vessels is hy- and speculate on the roles of ecophysiological adaptation and phylo- pothesized to have been much more common than reversals of these genetic constraints in the origin of present day diversity patterns in all so-called Baileyan transformations. Although parsimony analysis of to- major woody clades. tal evidence datasets or the plotting of wood anatomical characters on In this presentation general ecophyletic trends of a number of ves- molecular trees often suggests such reversals, the latter may be artifacts sel features through time will be briefly reviewed for the angiosperms as of imposing the parsimony model on the fundamentally unparsimoni- a whole. The validity of these general trends will be tested in a number ous process of xylem evolution. of selected clades that have been recently studied in great anatomical Despite rampant homoplasy, many clades retain unique combina- detail, especially from the gigantic sympetalous clade of the asterids. tions of wood anatomical features – including adaptive ones – thanks to Homoplasy (convergent and parallel development or reversals) can phylogenetic constraints preserving ancient divergence patterns in the in many cases be understood as ecological xylem adaptation to climate terminal branches of the angiosperm tree of life.

CRETACEOUS REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES OF EARLY EUDICOTS

Maria von Balthazar1, Kaj Raunsgaard Pedersen2, Peter R. Crane3 and Else Marie Friis1 1 Department of Paleobotany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden 2 Department of Geology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus-C, Denmark 3 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom

In recent phylogenetic analyses of extant angiosperms, the early straints in early eudicot flowers. Early eudicot lineages exhibit a variety eudicots consists of a grade of five main lineages. Ranunculales are of floral ground plans, where a dimerous, opposite decussate organiza- resolved as the earliest branching eudicot lineage, while the relation- tion is most frequently and a pentamerous organization only occasion- ships among the remaining early eudicot lineages (Proteales, Sabiace- ally found. This is in contrast to the rather fixed conditions in flowers ae, Trochodendraceae, Buxales) are not completely clear. Abundant of core eudicots with a pentamerous floral ground plan and a bipartite fossil findings of leaves and pollen of presumed early eudicot affinity perianth. Here we review the fossil record of early eudicot flowers and have long suggested that early eudicots were diverse and widespread also present new fossil reproductive structures of early eudicot affinity in the Early and Mid-Cretaceous. But only the more recent findings of with which we hope to improve our understanding of the early diversi- well-preserved platanoid, nelumboid, ranunculoid, and buxaceous re- fication and organization of eudicot flowers. We focus particularly on productive structures have provided support for the abundance and the eudicot diversity in the Early Cretaceous (early to mid-Albian) Pud- diversity of early diverging eudicots in the Early Cretaceous. Flowers of dledock flora from the Potomac Group sequence in Virginia of eastern extant early eudicots are characterized by a high evolutionary plastic- North America and provide a preliminary overview of the structural di- ity in floral organ differentiation and organization. The frequent lack of versity of stamens and pollen in this assemblage. one gender in flowers further demonstrates the low architectural con-

PLIOCENE FOSSIL WOODS FROM KOOBI FOR A, EAST TURK ANA, KENYA.

Marion K. Bamford1, Jack Harris2 and David Braun2 1 Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P Bag 3, WITS 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa, e-mail: [email protected] 2Anthropology Department, Rutgers University, 131 George St, New Brunswick NJ 08901, USA

Both the east and west sides of Lake Turkana in northern Kenya have record is Sapium, which has only two extant species in Kenya and both yielded numerous fossils of early hominins and associated fauna and later occur in forests. Two members of another large family, the Sapindacae, artifacts from Late Miocene to Late Pleistocene sediments. The climate are Chytranthus and Pancovia. These are both small genera with only two today is hot and dry and the vegetation very sparse with several species extant species each in Kenya and all the species occur in forests. Eryth- of Acacia trees, shrubs and grasses. A recently discovered locality on the rophleum and Schotia, from the large family Caesalpinaceae, also occur in east side, FwJj 20, Area 41, contains the earliest evidence of stone artifacts low altitude wet or swamp forest, or along watercourses. One wooded associated with large mammal resource exploitation from the Pliocene grassland taxon has been recovered, Acacia sieberiana (Mimosaceae), but Upper Burgi Member (~2.2–1.89 Ma) of the Koobi Fora Formation. The this tree can also grow along watercourses. The Apocynaceae family is fauna from the site and sedimentological evidence reflects a deltaic lake represented by Funtumia africana, the bastard wild rubber tree, which margin habitat. Silicified wood collected in February 2005 has been sec- grows in moist or groundwater forest. The palaeoenvironmental interpre- tioned and identified. The most commonly occurring fossil wood is Dry- tation is that the trees grew in a riverine or wet forest. This is supported by petes sp. (Euphorbiaceae). In Kenya today there are five species of Dry- the interpretation of the fauna. The vegetation reconstruction is applied petes and all of them grow in some form of forest, mostly low altitude and to the sedimentological models of the palaeo-riverine system which oc- moist or riverine. Another member of this family represented in the fossil curred where today there is a large, deep lake in the East African Rift.

9 AN EARLY JUR ASSIC FLOR A FROM PUALE BAY, ALASK A

Maria Barbacka1, József Pálfy2 and Paul L. Smith3 1 Hungarian Natural History Museum, Bot. Dep., H-1476 Budapest, POB 222, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Hungarian Academy of Sciences-Hungarian Natural History Museum Research Group for Paleontology, POB 137, Budapest, H-1431 Hungary, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Dept of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, e-mail: [email protected]

Early Jurassic plant macroremains were collected from the Kamishak the xerophytic features of plants were controlled by salinity of the soil. Formation (Middle Hettangian) at the Puale Bay (Alaska). The plant frag- In the context of global Jurassic paleogeography, our locality belongs to ments, mainly leaves and also leafy shoots, were found in ammonite- the Peninsular terrane of Alaska which formed in an island arc situated at bearing marine sedimentary strata. This is a new paleobotanical locality, low latitudes, near the equator. Consequently, this area belonged to the the first Jurassic one in Alaska with preserved cuticles. The leaves belong summer-wet climatic zone, which is confirmed by the collected plant to three genera of different gymnosperm groups: Sagenopteris pualen- assemblage. The geographic position of Yorkshire during the Jurassic sis sp. nov. (Pteridospermophyta), Otozamites mimetes and O. tenuatus was similar to the present and was therefore within the warm-temper- (Bennettitales) and Brachyphyllum crucis (Coniferales). Their macro- and ate climatic zone. It appears that local conditions strongly influenced micromorphological show definite xeromorphic features that suggest the vegetation. The difference between the localities of the Puale Bay either an arid environment or the influence of soil with increased salin- and Yorkshire are not only geographic and climatic, but there is also ity. Three of the four species from the Puale Bay also occur in the Middle a ~40 Ma time difference (Early vs. Middle Jurassic). Terrane movements Jurassic Yorkshire flora but they are not known from any other locality. and/or plant migration can account for the observed floristic similarity. It suggests that similar conditions existed in both areas and implies that

ADAPTIVE TRENDS IN EARLY JUR ASSIC FLOR A FROM ODROWĄŻ, POLAND

Maria Barbacka1, Jadwiga Ziaja2 and Elżbieta Wcisło-Luraniec2 1 Hungarian Natural History Museum, Bot. Dep., H-1476 Budapest, Pf. 222, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected] 2 W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, 31-512 Kraków, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

Odrowąż is an Early Jurassic (Hettangian) locality in the northern ta Brongniart, which in Odrowąż seems to have adapted to growing in wet part of the Holy Cross Mountains Mesozoic margin. According to the re- soil, when usually, according to general opinion, this plant was believed sults of geological investigations in this area, during Jurassic there was to be xerophilic. Interesting structures were observed also in Otozamites a meandering river plain with lateral channels. Vegetation was quite brevifolius Braun, using the SEM and the fluorescent microscopy: trichome dense, but not very rich in taxa. The dry area was mostly covered by bases that have not been interpreted as yet, and a type of secreting cells, forests dominated by Hirmeriella accompanied with Pterophyllum, while which has so far not been described in any fossil material. It is notewor- ferns, horsetails and Podozamites occupied riverbanks and neighbour- thy that these structures have not been clarified as yet, however different ing territories. trichome bases have been often described. Moreover, they show similar- Just by looking at the composition of the flora from Odrowąż itself, ity to epidermal structures of recent angiosperms. It seems possible that clear adaptation to two different types of environmental conditions can certain structures have not changed a lot during the evolution and were be observed: wet (along the river) and arid (on the areas situated further present in such extinct groups like seed ferns or bennettites and can be from water). The co-occurrence of taxa on stone slabs and the structure comparable to those of plants which today are on the top. of their macro- and micromorphology confirm that. The investigations have been supported by the Ministry of Educa- Besides this, an atypical feature was observed in Pachypteris lanceola- tion and Science, Poland (grant No. 2 P04C 032 27).

HIRMERIELLA MUENSTERI FROM THE HETTANGIAN OF ODROWĄŻ, POLAND

Maria Barbacka1, Jadwiga Ziaja2 and Elżbieta Wcisło-Luraniec2 1Hungarian Natural History Museum, Bot. Dep., H-1476 Budapest, Pf. 222, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected] 2W. Szafer of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, 31-512 Kraków, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

Hirmeriella muensteri (Schenk) Jung is one of the commonest spe- arid and might have reached quite far from the water basins, while the cies in the Hettangian locality in Odrowąż (Holy Cross Mts., central Po- banks were occupied mainly by Neocalamites. According to Reymanów- land). The amount of samples reaches about 40 % of the total material na’s opinion, H. muensteri might have adapted to extreme conditions, collected in this locality. Among the specimens the most numerous are like seasonal fire cases. Co-occurrence with Pterophyllum sp. and their shoots, but female and male cones containing pollen grains are also structure suggest that the latter might represent the shrub storey under quite common. high-grown Hirmeriella. The palaeoenvironment of Odrowąż has been known since it was re- Hirmeriella muensteri occurred in Poland in two localities: the above- searched in connection with dinosaur findings in this area. It is known to mentioned, and the second near Ostrowiec, in sediments probably be- have been a plain with a meandering river. Vegetation has already been longing to the same formation as the flora from Odrowąż. The distance reconstructed as well, but on the grounds of preliminary results only; between these localities is about 60 km. The species has not been men- after further studies, new data have been taken into consideration. tioned from the other Rhaetian localities situated in the northern part of Hirmeriella appears to have been the second most important com- the Holy Cross Mountains. ponent of the flora, accompanied by Pterophyllum alinae (a new species). The investigations have been supported by the Ministry of Educa- The xeromorphic structure of this plant suggests that its living area was tion and Science, Poland (grant No. 2 P04C 032 27).

10 TESTING THE PCO2 DR AWDOWN HYPOTHESIS FOR OCEANIC ANOXIC EVENT II 94 MA USING PLANT CUTICLES

Richard S. Barclay1, Jennifer C. McElwain2 and Bradley B. Sageman1 1 Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, 60605, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

Global oceanic anoxic events (OAEs) represent major perturbations changes through the OAEII interval than for previous studies. Analysis to the ocean-atmosphere system that occur within geologically short of coal, charcoal, and cuticle fragments document the positive δ13C ex- time frames; ~800 ka for OAEII. They are believed to be caused by large- cursion characteristic of the OAEII interval for the first time in marginal scale changes in the carbon cycle, forced by perturbations in volcanism, marine sections. rates of continental weathering, and oceanic processes such as over- The C-T floras document cuticle from a diverse assemblage of plants, turn and nutrient availability. Despite what has been learned about the including angiosperms, conifers, bennettites, and potentially ginkgo- OAEII interval at the Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) boundary, the driving phytes. Preliminary stomatal index counts from angiosperm cuticle sug- mechanism for this event remains elusive. The event is marked globally gest an increase in pCO2 leading up to the anoxic event, and decreasing 13 by a positive 2–4 ‰ excursion in the δ C marine record of Corg and Ccarb. at the onset of the isotopic excursion. Efforts are underway to increase A massive increase in marine organic carbon burial at the onset of OAEII the precision of the δ13C values and stomatal index data by focusing on may have caused a dramatic drawdown in pCO2, initiating a temporary individual taxa. The taxon specific nature of the stomatal index response cooling of climate. Two previous estimates have shown that pCO2 does requires identifying the cuticle to a low taxonomic level. To facilitate decrease, but the magnitudes of the estimates differ greatly (150 ppm this, we are developing a database of modern plant cuticles that will vs. 850 ppm). compare modern and fossil cuticle using the same characters. The Cuti-

This hypothesized draw down in pCO2 should be recorded in the cle Database is available to the paleobotanical community via the Inter- terrestrial plant record. The present study uses the stomatal index net and utilizes the collection of modern cuticle slides of David Dilcher method on terrestrial plant cuticle to make a more direct estimate of at the Florida Museum of Natural History. The database can be reached the magnitude of the pCO2 decrease, one that is independent of the at this URL: http://fm1.fieldmuseum.org/cuticle/PaleoCollaborator. The biases inherent in the two previous estimates taken from marine sec- collection contains slides from over 290 plant families, predominantly tions. We have collected abundant, well-preserved fossil plant cuticle in of dicotyledonous angiosperms. When the first phase is complete, the southwestern Utah from marginal marine sections of the Dakota Sand- Cuticle Database will display images from over 2,000 species of plants in stone that formed the shoreline of the Western Interior Seaway. The sec- the collections. Once the fossil cuticle from the C-T boundary sections tions in Utah have been correlated to the orbitally tuned C-T boundary is identified, the stomatal index response can be calibrated using the stratotype in Colorado using sequence stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, nearest living equivalent method to create a semi-quantitative estimate bentonite stratigraphy, and carbon isotope stratigraphy. This chronos- of changes in pCO2 at the onset of the OAEII event. tratigraphic framework allows for a higher resolution analysis of pCO2

MAJOR TAXONOMIC EVENTS IN OLIGOCENEMIOCENE SUNFLOWER TAXA OF PATAGONIA: FOSSIL POLLEN EVIDENCE

Viviana Barreda1, Luis Palazzesi1, María C. Tellería2, 3 and Liliana Katinas4 1 Sección Paleopalinología, División Paleobotánica, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Av. Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Laboratorio de Sistemática y Biología Evolutiva, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina 3 Laboratorio de Actuopalinología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Av. Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina 4 Plantas Vasculares, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina

The sunflower (Asteraceae) family constitutes the largest group of (2) Early Miocene, increasing of the Mutisiinae and appearance of Nas- extant plants. Despite the great abundance and diversity of recent taxa, sauviinae (Mutisieae) and Barnadesioideae; (3) latest Early Miocene, ap- fossil record of Asteraceae is extremely sparse; thus the time and place pearance of Astereae morphotypes; (4) Middle-Late Miocene, progres- of the family origin remain controversial. Recent fossil pollen discover- sive dominance of the previous asteracean taxa, both in terms of diver- ies from Patagonia (southern South America) allow outlining different sity and abundance, and radiation of Barnadesioideae; (5) Late Miocene, stages of the evolution of Asteraceae from the Late Oligocene to the first appearance of Heliantheae morphotypes. Though boundaries of Late Miocene. Botanical affinity of most of morphotypes was made by these stages may overlap slightly, they most probably represent each using a pollen collection of living Asteraceae. On the basis of taxonomic major asteracean turnovers. Recent phylogenetic trees based on mo- affinity, abundance, and temporal distribution of the Patagonian fossil lecular data are partly in agreement with the succession of appearance records, five major stages were identified: (1) Late Oligocene, first report of these groups in the fossil record. of Asteraceae with a morphotype related to Mutisiinae (tribe Mutisieae);

11 EXTR ABASINAL PLANT ASSEMBLAGES IN BASINMARGIN STR ATA: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM NEWFOUNDLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Arden R. Bashforth1 and Stanislav Opluštil2 1Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3J5, Canada, e-mail: [email protected] 2Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Although the paleoecology of peat-forming ecosystems in Pennsyl- these gigantic cordaitalean trees forested extrabasinal habitats on the vanian basinal lowlands is well constrained, distinct plant communities periphery of the paleovalley. In contrast, sigillarian lycopsids, tree ferns, that inhabited well-drained substrates atop elevated terrain surround- medullosan pteridosperms, and swamp-dwelling cordaitalean trees ing the basins remain poorly resolved. In order to address this deficien- occupied clastic swamps and channel-flanking levees that developed cy, the senior author’s PhD project involves an attempt to understand on basinal lowlands. Proximal alluvial fan deposits of the “Mirošov Ho- the composition, geographic extent, and paleoecological preferences rizon” (basal Nýřany Member, Kladno Formation, upper Asturian) in the of plants that occupied Euramerian extrabasinal landscapes during the Czech Republic are dominated by coarse-grained arkoses and cobble Pennsylvanian. An important objective of the thesis is to provide a spatial conglomerates, but include thin intercalations of plant fossil-bearing and temporal comparison between extrabasinal floras and contempo- siltstone that likely blanketed pre-existing topographic features on raneous vegetation growing in poorly drained riparian and peat-form- the alluvial fan surface. Specimens recovered from these units may be ing substrates on paleovalley floors. An initial step in this investigation parautochthonous assemblages that grew atop the alluvial fans dur- has been to perform taxonomic and taphonomic analyses of vegetation ing quiescent intervals, or were transported a short distance from more preserved in basin-margin strata that filled erosional paleovalleys in proximal portions of the fan. Preliminary quantitative analyses indicate the Bay St. George Basin of southwestern Newfoundland, Canada and that marginal facies were primarily populated by pteridosperms, where- the Mirošov Relic in the western part of the Czech Republic. These sedi- as markedly different communities found in “roof shales” above coeval ments were shed from topographic highs adjacent to the basins, and coal seams only a few kilometres down slope were rich in sigillarian lyc- incorporated plants that presumably flourished in well-drained, extra- opsids, tree ferns, and sphenopsids. basinal habitats. Although this research project is only in its early stages, preliminary Meandering channel deposits of the Blanche Brook Formation (up- results from Newfoundland and the Czech Republic indicate that extra- permost Bolsovian) in Newfoundland comprise coarse-grained sand- basinal and coeval basinal lowland plant communities had recognizable stones and pebble conglomerates that contain hundreds of fossil logs, compositional differences. The disparity presumably reflects the unique branches, and leaves of cordaitalean affinity. Reconstruction of these paleoecological niches available for colonization by vegetation, despite trees indicates that mature specimens attained a diameter of 2 m and the spatial proximity of well-drained basin-margin and peat-forming rose to heights of 48 m, whereas the morphology of their rootstocks, habitats on paleovalley floors. skewed piths, and the paleogeographic setting collectively imply that

DIVISION OF CARBONIFEROUS LYCOSPORES

Jiří Bek Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Palaeoecology, Institute of Geology, Academy of Science, Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The comparison of Carboniferous dispersed and in situ lycospores The third subgroup consists of cingulizonate lycospores with a rel- is given. Author revised previous attempts for the classification and divi- atively narrow cingulum and narrow zona. The width of the zona is less sion of Carboniferous lycospores and recognised six subgroups within than 3–3.5 µm. For example, dispersed species Lycospora denticulata, L. the genus Lycospora. New division corresponds well with results of in situ contacta, L. subjuga, L. brevijuga, L. brevis, L. microgranulata, L. punctata lycospores isolated from Carboniferous cones of genera Lepidostrobus and and L. triangulata can be assigned to this group. Flemingites made by the author. The most important criteria are 1) The Cingulizonate lycospores of the fourth subgroup are typified by width of the cingulum and the zona (if developed) 2) The type of the sculp- a relatively narrow cingulum and wide zona. The width of the zona is ture elements on the proximal and distal surfaces 3) The density (distribu- more than 4 µm. For example, dispersed species Lycospora loganii, L. pel- tion) of sculpture elements on both surfaces. Based on suggested criteria lucida, L. micropapillata, L. micrograna, L. intermedia, L. pseudoannulata author proposed following new division of Carboniferous lycospores. and L. perforata belong to this subgroup. Some specimens can possess It is possible to divide cingulate lycospores into two subgroups. The more or less prominent perforations of the zona (L. perforata, L. pseu- first subgroup consists of cingulate lycospores with prominent micros- doannulata). pinate sculpture of the distal surface and high number of sculpture ele- Lycospores with a relatively wide cingulum and wide zona can be ments there. For example, holotypes of the dispersed species Lycospora divided into two subgroups, based on the type of sculpture elements. orbicula and L. granulata belong to this subgroup. All microspores of this The fifth subgroup is characterized by the microspinate sculpture of the type were produced by cones of the genera Flemingites and probably distal surface and laevigate to very finely scabrate proximal surface. For Bothrodendrostrobus. In situ lycospores of this subgroup were described example, the dispersed species Lycospora noctuina, L. nitida, L. uzunmeh- from several compression specimens of flemingitalean cones (Bek 1998) medii, L. tenuireticulatus and L. uber can be assigned to this subgroup. In from the Pennsylvanian of the Czech Republic and abroad. situ lycospores of this subgroup are described mainly from compression The second subgroup of cingulate lycospores is typified by micro- Lepidostrobus specimens in the Czech Republic as well as elsewhere and granulate to microverrucate sculpture of the exospore. For example, their occurrence in coal-balls is rare. dispersed species Lycospora parva, L. rugosa and L. granianellatus can be Lycospores of the sixth subgroup are characterized by a relatively assigned to this subgroup. In situ lycospores of this type were reported wide cingulum and wide zona, prominent microgranulate to granulate from tens of compression specimens of cones Lepidostrobus sternbergii sculpture of the distal surface and laevigate to very finely scabrate sculp- from the Pennsylvanian of the Czech Republic and from some petrified ture of the proximal surface. For example, the dispersed species Lycospora and compression Lepidostrobus specimens from elsewhere. rotunda, L. breviapiculata, L. subtriquetra, L. curtata and L. curtata f. velata It is possible to divide cingulizonate Carboniferous lycospores into belong to this subgroup. In situ lycospores of this type are known only four subgroups depending on the width of cingulum and zona and the from compression strobili of Lepidostrobus ronnaensis from the Pennsyl- sculpture of the proximal and distal surfaces vanian of the Czech Republic (Bek and Opluštil, 2004, 2006).

12 PALYNOLOGY OF THE BOHEMIAN PART OF THE INTR ASUDETIC BASIN BASHIKIRIANK ASIMOVIAN B, CZECH REPUBLIC

Jiří Bek Laboratory of Palaeoecology and Paleobiology, Institute of Geology, Academy of Science, Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Results are based on the palynological analyses of more than 1 500 Svatoňovice Member is characteristic by the occurrence of Cirratrira- palynological samples worked by Valterová (1964–1979), Kalibová (1960) dites saturni, Triquitrites, Torispora (all of them for the last time), Vestispora and some newest information given by Bek (in prep.). Žacléř (Lamper- fenestrata, V. quaesita, Speciososporites and Punctatosporites. tice, Prkenný Důl-Žďárky, Petrovice members), Odolov (Svatoňovice and Several spore genera and species occurred for the first time within Jívka members), Chvaleč (Vernéřovice Member) formations of the Penn- the Jívka Member, including those of Gillespieisporites, Cyclogranisporites sylvanian age and the Broumov (Nowa Ruda and Olivětín members) jelenicensis, Verrucosisporites sinensis, V. grandiverrucosus, Angulisporites Formation of the early Permian age were palynologically studied. The splendidus, Guthoerlisporites, Kosankeisporites, Illinites and Wilsonites. stratigraphical range is from the Bashkirian (Namurian C) to the Autu- The Vernéřovice Member is typical by records of Kosankeisporites, nian. Cadiospora, Thymospora, Punctatosporites, Verrucosisporites sinensis and Stratigraphically oldest taxa, like Murospora, Stenozonotriletes, Savit- V. grandiverrucosus. risporites, Simozonotriletes ocurred within the Lampertice Member. Taxa The Nowa Ruda Member of the early Permian age is typified by very Anaplanisporites, Waltzispora, Foveosporites, Euryzonotriletes, Cingulizo- rare occurrences of Punctatosporites, Cyclogranisporites, Florinites, Verru- nates loricatus are reported only from the Lampertice Member. cosisporites, Potonieisporites and Speciososporites. Prkenný Důl-Žďárky Member is characterizied by the occurrence of Strata of the youngest Olivětín Member yielded fragmentary paly- Punctatisporites sinuatus, Converrucosisporites, Callisporites, Pustulatis- nological record with rare occurrences of Cyclogranisporites, Puncta- porites pustulatus, Convolutispora, Vestispora cancellata, V. tortuosa, Rein- tisporites, Lophotriletes, Verrucosisporites, Reticulatisporites, Lycospora, schospora and some others. Punctatosporites granifer and Potonieisorites novicus. Spore taxa like Knoxisporites, Cirratriradites saturni, Westphalensis- The comparison of dispersed spores and macrofloristic records is porites, Aumancisporites striatus, Torispora and Triquitrites are the most based on our knowledge about in situ spores. Preliminary palaeoeco- typical for the Petrovice Member. logical patterns and characterization of members is suggested.

PHYLOGENY AND RELATIONSHIP OF SOME ISOETALEAN SPORES FROM THE DEVONIAN TO THE PRESENT

Jiří Bek1, Jana Drábková2, Jiřina Dašková1 and Shya Chitaley3 1 Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Palaeoecology, Institute of Geology, Academy of Science, Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 11821 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval, University Circle, Cleveladnd, OH 44106-1767, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

Palaeobotanists and palynologists usually lack the data about that e.g. Triassic and recent spores share a number of features that dis- phylogenetic lineages and relationship of extant and fossil plants and tinguish the isoetalean spores. Another criterion is the occurrence of spores. An exceptionally example is represented by the group of iso- interradial papillae distributed as in Pleuromeia and compared with the etalean genera Isoetes (extant), Pleuromeia (Triassic), Polysporia (Carbon- dispersed genus Endosporites produced by Carboniferous subarbores- iferous) and some spores of Devonian subarborescent lycopsids from cent genus Polysporia. Exactly the same miospores of the Endosporites- Cleveland, USA. type were recorded from Devonian Cleveland Shales, USA. Cleveland There are some direct and indirect evidences about relationships of Devonian miospores (Endosporites) and megaspores (Valvisisporites) are these plants. All of them possess roughly similar habit and gross mor- closely similar to those produced by Carboniferous Polysporia. The ex- phology. The most significant similarities are based on the palynologi- istence of phylogenetic lineage Isoetes-Pleuromeia-Polysporia-Devonian cal research (mainly TEM) of their in situ spores. The morphological and Cleveland spores, which is going through a big part of the Phanerozoic ultrastuctural features of spores of some species of extant genus Isoetes, era, seems to be confirmed based mainly of palynological evidences. Triassic Pleuromeia, Carboniferous Polysporia and Devonian American Financially supported by the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Re- spores from Cleveland are compared. The comparison clearly shows public (No. Z 30130516).

CARBONIFEROUS AND PERMIAN NOEGGER ATHIALEAN PLANTS AND THEIR SPORES; PRELIMINARY REPORT

Jiří Bek1 and Jun Wang2 1Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Palaeoecology, Institute of Geology, Academy of Science, Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China, e-mail: [email protected]

Palaeozoic noeggerathialean plants belong to several usually or- zoic plants are known from USA, the Netherlands, Germany and Saudi gan-genera and species. Their stratigraphical range is from the Car- Arabia, the biggest number of their representatives come from the boniferous (Europe and China) to the Lower Permian (China, USA), and Carboniferous of the Czech Republic and Lower Permian of China. The Upper Permian (China). Although records of noeggerathialean Palaeo- biggest group of noeggerathialean genera is represents by a morpho

13 genus Discinites with twenty-three species (including sp. forms). Other were started by Bek and Wang (Bek and Šimůnek 2005, Šimůnek and Bek noeggerathialean genera are Noeggerathiaeostrobus, Lacoea, Saarodis- 2005, Wang et al. 2004, Wang, 2005). Preliminary results of the research cites, Heninia, Tongshania, Tingia, Paratingia, Yuania and Plagiozamites. summarise the occurrence and distribution of noeggarathialean veg- Cathaysian parent plants produced Discinites cones are genera Yuania etative and reproductive organs, including palynological characteriza- (Russelites) and Tingia. tion and relationships of their in situ spores. Some relationships of these Intensive palynological research of noeggerathialean in situ spores progymnospermous plants to other plant groups is mentioned.

SCHIZAEACEAN FERNS FROM THE EARLY CRETACEOUS CR ATO FORMATION, NORTHEAST BR AZIL

Mary E. Bernardes-de-Oliveira1, Barbara A. R. Mohr2, Denise Pons3, Robert Loveridge4, Fresia Ricardi-Branco5 and M. Cristina de Castro-Fernandes6 1 CEPPE – Post-Graduation, Research and Specialization Center of the University Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil and Institute of Geosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-080, Brazil, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Museum of Natural History, Institute of Paleontology, 10 115 Berlin, Germany 3 Laboratoire de Paléobotanique et Palynologie, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France 4 University of Portsmouth, School of Earth and Environmental Science, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3QL, United Kingdom 5 Institute of Geosciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil 6 CEPPE – Post-Graduation, Research and Specialization Center of the University Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil

The Early Cretaceous most likely Late Aptian, Nova Olinda Mem- base to the apex. The pinnules are normally catadromic, very dissected, ber, Crato Formation, northeast Brazil, contains well preserved diverse with the ultimate segments subrhombic and simple dichotomizing ve- plant remains representing nearly all Mesozoic plant groups. Ferns are nation. When the laminae are fertile, the fertile segments are commonly important, in that they represent a significant proportion, both of the at the base of the petioles, comprising up to six pinnae. The schizaeoid macrofossil and microfossil flora. Fern macrofossils are common, but not sporangia sit on reduced lamina segments containing trilete in-situ diverse, of the three types observed, two are most likely Schizaeacean. cicatricose spores. The general habit and the cicatricose spores sug- The microflora is much more diverse and contains several schizaeacean gest the Jurassic to Paleogene species Ruffordia goeppertii, known from spores types, including Cicatricosisporites, Ruffordia type A and Ruffordia many Mesozoic strata by macrofossils and microfossils. This extinct ge- type B. One taxon, a relatively small fern with creeping rhizomes and nus is morphologically similar to the extant Anemia adiantifolia, the pine an upright habit, bears dimorphic, partially fertile and partially sterile fern of America, growing in dry, partially sandy soils. However, Ruffordia triangular fronds, up to 60 cm high with distichous petioles extending goeppertii differs in that the fertile segments are more or less attached 12–15 cm. The rachis is imparipinnate, alternate, narrowing from the and as long as the sterile ones.

A NEW PERMIAN WOOD DISCOVERED IN CENTR AL THAILAND

Martine Berthelin1, Jean Broutin1, Colette Vozenin-Serra1, Anisong Chitnarin2, Chongpan Chonglakmani3 and Henri Fontaine4 1 UMR 5143 Paléodiversité, Systématique et Evolution des Embryophytes, University Pierre and Marie Curie – Paris 6, 12 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France, e-mail: [email protected] 2 School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand 3 School of Geotechnology, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand 4 8 Allée de la Chapelle, 92140 Clamart, France

After the description of Dadoxylon walchiopremnoides (Voltziales) bending sharply and showing an elbow-like ending in contact with the from the Phetchabun area (Nong-Phai district, Thailand) by Vozenin- ray cells; heterocellular vertical parenchyma including “bubble-like” Serra in 1990, a new Permian permineralized wood belonging to the cells. The absence of any well marked growth rings, as for Dadoxylon Ginkgophyta, has been collected in the Bung Sam Phan area (65 km walchiopremnoides, confirms that the Late Permian climate in Thailand more to the South). Its anatomy demonstrates that this specimen is very was warm and humid without any marked dry season. This discovery closed to Ginkgophytoxylon permiense Vozenin-Serra et al., 1991, an Eura- shows that the incoming of Euramerican floral elements into the Cath- merican wood from the Late Permian of Southern France. As a matter yasian domain during the Middle and Late Permian reached also central of fact this wood exhibits very typical characters, especially in the ra- Thailand. The paleophytogeographical implications of this discovery dial section, such as: elliptical border framing the cross-fields; tracheids are analysed.

PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHIC ASPECTS OF STUDIES OF UPPER PLEISTOCENE DEPOSITS OF THE VOLHYNIAN AND PODOLIAN AREA W UKR AINE

Alla G. Bezusko1, Lyudmila G. Bezusko2 and Sergei L. Mosyakin1 1 National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, 2 H. Skovorody Street, Kyiv (Kiev), 04070, Ukraine, e-mail: [email protected] 2 M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2 Tereshchenkivska Street, Kyiv (Kiev), 01601, Ukraine

Results of palynological studies of Upper Pleistocene deposits discuss prospects of palynological data for a justification and specifi- (16 sections) of the Volhynian and Podolian area (Volyno-Podillya; W cation of the regional stratigraphic scheme (following Bogutsky, 1972 Ukraine) are presented. Using specific examples and case studies, we and 2002) for the periglacial zone at the southwestern edge of the East

14 European platform. The obtained palynological characteristics for de- dicated considerable contents of pollen of microthermic plant species posits of the Horohiv set of paleosols (edaphic complex) indicate that (Betula nana L., B. humilis Schrank., Alnaster fruticosus (Rupr.) Ledeb., Dr- the formation of deposits during the first phase of pedogenesis pro- yas octopetalla L., Thalictrum alpinum L., Diphasiastrum cf. alpinum (L.) ceeded under interglacial conditions (Riss-Würm, Eemian). Deposits of Holub, Selaginella selaginoides (L.) Link, Botrychium cf. boreale Milde, the second phase of Horohiv pedogenesis produce interstadial-type etc.), Ephedra distachya L., and also pollen grains of Chenopodiaceae and pollen-and-spore spectra corresponding to Early Valdai (Early Würm) Artemisia spp. in pollen and spore spectra of loess-II deposits. The data interstadials. Palynological characteristics of Dubno paleosols reflect obtained reflect changes in the vegetation structure of the Volhynian a complex composition of that important stratigraphic horizon of Up- and Podolian area under the influence of growing aridity and progress- per Pleistocene deposits of the Volhynian and Podolian area. The Dubno ing cooling during the times of accumulation of the uppermost horizon soil formation stage in Volhynian and Podolian sections in fact occurred of Upper Pleistocene loesses. The received data are coordinated with during different times, and palynological data evidently indicate that palynospectra of glacial stages for Boreal Eurasia (following the scheme the corresponding paleosols belong to not just one but several Middle- of Bolikhovskaya et al., 1999). We also reconstructed the vegetation pat- Valdai interstadials. Palynological characteristics of Upper Pleistocene terns for main stages of the Late Pleistocene of the Volhynian and Podo- loesses (loess I and loess II) have all main peculiarities of periglacial lian areas. We also discuss our findings in a broader context of historical palynospectra of the loess soil formation of Boreal Eurasia. Results of biogeography (relict species and refugia, postglacial migration routes our comparative analysis of palynological characteristics of the lower of vascular plants, etc.) considering the modern phytogeography data (loess I) and upper (loess II) horizons of Upper Pleistocene loesses in- on major European tree species.

ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGES OF THE VEGETATION COVER OF THE OVRUCH RIDGE N UKR AINE IN EARLY MEDIEVAL TIMES 13TH CENTURY A.D.

Lyudmila G. Bezusko1, Sergei L. Mosyakin1 and Alla G. Bezusko2 1M. G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2 Tereshchenkivska Street, Kyiv (Kiev), 01601, Ukraine 2National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, 2 H. Skovorody Street, Kyiv (Kiev), 04070, Ukraine, [email protected]

Results of pollen and spore researches of samples from cultural lay- preciably affected natural vegetation in the studied area in the 13th cen- ers of the Early Medieval settlements of Gorodets (51°23’ N, 28°14’ E), Lys- tury. The changes in pollen and spore spectra of samples from cultural tvyn (51°20’ N, 28°21’ E), Cherevky (51°18’ N, 28°24’ E), Pribytky-1 (51°17 ’ N, layers of the 13th century, in comparison with spectra in background sec- 28°27’ E), Nagoryany-1 (51°22’ N, 28°31’ E), Ovruch (51°19’ N, 28°40’ E) and tions of the same age, were very significant and extended to the level Norinsk (51°16’ N, 28°34’ E) are discussed. These settlements are located of main vegetation types. Palynological the data indicate large-scale in the Ovruch Ridge area (Zhitomir Region, Ukraine); according to arche- clear-cutting of forests in the Ovruch Ridge area during the 13th century. ological data, their Early Medieval cultural layers are dated by 13th cen- We also report results of a comparative analysis of paleopalynological tury A.D. For a narrow time interval we revealed the taxonomic compo- and paleoethnobotanical characteristics of cultural strata of Early Me- sition of the collective fossil palynofloras (more than 140 taxa of various dieval settlements. These results indicate that the paleoethnobotanical ranks). Pollen grains of plant species considered as indicators of human method is more suitable and informative for identification of the assort- economic activities constitute a considerable share in pollen samples ment of grain crops and weedy grasses (Poaceae). The importance of (Cerealia, Juglans regia L., Atriplex tatarica L., Chenopodium album L., C. the pollen and spore studies becomes more important for revealing the polyspermum L., Dysphania botrys (L.) Mosyakin et Clemants, Agrostem- general composition of the total weedy flora and vegetation. We also ma gittago L., Convolvulus arvensis L., Chelidonium majus L., Polygonum discuss the long-debated issue of distribution of Rhododenron luteum aviculare L. s. str., Fallopia convolvulus (L). Á. Löve, Cichorium intybus L., Sweet in the Ovruch area in the general context of the problem of relicts Taraxacum officinale Wigg. aggr., Alsine media L., Plantago lanceolata L., and refugia. Fossil pollen samples of that species testify against the hy- etc.). We reconstructed the general pattern of natural and anthropo- pothesis of its late human-mediated introduction in the northern forest genic changes in the vegetation cover of the Ovruch Ridge in the 13th zone of Ukraine. century A.D. The main conclusion is that human economic activities ap-

WOODS OF KETELEERIA PINACEAE  OVERVIEW OF DIAGNOSTIC CHAR ACTERS, FOSSIL RECORD AND PROBLEM OF IDENTIFICATION

Nadezhda I. Blokhina Institute of Biology and Soil Science FEB RAS, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Macrofossils of Keteleeria are found rather rarely, despite Keteleeria thick-walled epithelial cells and the lack of any horizontal canals (Yat- was widely spread in the last geological time in the northern hemi- senko-Khmelevskyi, 1954; Budkevich, 1961; Chavchavadze, 1979). How- sphere. Fossil woods with Keteleeria-like anatomical structure have ever, the normal canals occur occasionally and are sometimes lacking or been described in Russia from the Lower Cretaceous of France-Josef only traumatic near the pith (Kanehira, 1921; Bailey, 1933). The epithelial Land – Keteleerioxylon arcticum Shilk. (Shilkina, 1960) and Kirovsk Region cells become ligneous quickly to make it difficult to be distinguished – K. fokinii Shilk. (Shilkina, 1986), Lower/Upper Cretaceous of Kamchatka from adjacent parenchyma cells, and the latter do not form sometimes – K. kamtschatkiense Blokh. et Afonin sp. nov. (Blokhina et al., in print), a continuous ring around the canal. Ray tracheids are lacking, although Oligocene to Middle Miocene – K. primoryense Blokh. (Blokhina, Kli- marginal cells resembling ray tracheids sometimes occur. Axial wood mova, 2000) and Pliocene – Keteleeria zhilinii Blokh. et O. V. Bondarenko parenchyma (rather scanty) and crassulae are also characteristic of Ket- (Blokhina, Bondarenko, 2005) of Primory’e, and in Japan – from the Low- eleeria. er Miocene – Keteleeria mabetiensis (Watari) Watari (Watari, 1941, 1956). Mesozoic fossil woods are characterized by a mixing type of trac- However, Keteleeria is difficult to distinguish by wood anatomy from heid walls pitting. In the Lower Cretaceous Keteleerioxylon fokinii both the Pinaceae that have no resin canals of normal origin. The main char- araucarioid and abietoid pits occur in close arrangement along the acteristic of Keteleeria is the presence of normal vertical resin canals with tracheid length. K. arcticum and K. kamtschatkiense are characterized

15 by the presence of abietoid pits only. Pits are closely arranged in the lyn, Tidwell, 1979) – P. edwardsi Stopes, P. johnseni (Schroeter) Edwards, first wood and scattered in the second one. Type of tracheid pitting in P. arcticum Seward, P. dacotense (Knowlton) Vogellehner, P. resiniferous K. kamtschatkiense is evolutionary more advanced. Alternate pits can Medlyn et Tidwell, P. canadense Medlyn et Tidwell. The woods, except be occasionally observed in the living Keteleeria davidiana (Bailey, 1933, P. resiniferous, have an axial parenchyma. Marginal cells resembling ray Budkevich, 1961). Number of pits per cross-fields increases from 3–4 in tracheids occur in P. arcticum and P. resiniferous, and ray tracheids – in Keteleerioxylon fokinii and K. arcticum up to 5 – in K. kamtschatkiense, K. P. dacotense. In P. dacotense both araucarioid and abietoid pits occur in primoryense, Keteleeria mabetiensis and K. zhilinii and up to 6 – in modern close arrangement. Only araucarioid pits are present in P. johnseni and Keteleeria. P. canadense. Protopiceoxylon belongs to extinct Conifers related with There are other fossil woods with normal vertical resin canals the Pinaceae, and some of them are, perhaps, possible ancestral forms only and encircled by thick-walled epithelial cells. They are of the Late of Keteleeria. Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age and have been described as morpho-gen- The work was supported by grants of Russian Foundation for Basic Re- era Pinoxylon Knowlton emend. Read or Protopiceoxylon Gothan (Med- search (No 05-04-49907) and Presidium of FEB RAS (No 06-III-A-05-139).

PALYNOLOGICAL EVIDENCES OF DEVELOPMENT OF TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION AND FLAT PALSA MIRES IN SUBARCTIC OF WESTERN SIBERIA AS INDICATORS OF GLOBAL CLIMATIC CHANGES AND ENDOGENIC MIRE PROCESSES IN HOLOCENE.

Tatiana A. Blyakharchuk1 and Sergei N. Kirpotin2 1 Institute for Monitoring of Climatic and Ecological systems of Siberain Branch of Russian Academy of Science (IMCAS), Tomsk 634055, Akademicheski Ave. 10/3, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Lenina Ave. 36, Russia

In the north of West Siberian plain (forest-tundra sub zone) a flat pal- sharply decreased. Spruce forests spread instead of larch in Nadum- sa mire complex on Nadym-Pur interfluve (64°39’28’’ N and 75°24’17’’ W) Pur interfluve in period 9 000–6 000 yr BP. Sandy soils were occupied was investigated by methods of analyses of aerial photo images, geo- by Scott’s pine and by Siberian pine. This was evidence of increased botanical descriptions of vegetation as well as by macrofossil analyses summer temperatures and increased precipitation during this time. (botanical analyses of peat) and micro analyses (pollen analyses) of peat Cooling of climate started according to our data after 6 000 yr BP and section. A few radiocarbon dates were obtained for investigated peat in Subboreal period forest vegetation retreated to the south from area section. Pollen analyses revealed that before 9340 yr BP open perigla- of investigation. Approximately 3 000 yr BP peat accumulation stopped cial tunda-steppe landscapes existed in the area of investigation. Dur- in the place of study peat section due to frost bulking. Analyses of all ing short time after 9340 yr BP a larch forests spread, whereas tundra- complex information confirmed, that the major way of development steppe complex still existed on higher places or areas with sandy soils. if palsa mires was connected with long time global climatic changes This can be result of increased summer temperatures due to increased among which changes in influence of Atlantic cyclones were leading. At continentality of climate in direction from ocean to continent. In more the same time modern thermocarst micro-relief of the flat palsa mires northern areas situated more close to ocean by many evidences, the cli- in a great degree is reflection of natural cyclic self-development of this mate was less continental, more warm and humid than modern in that type of landscape in the areas of discontinuous permafrost. period. After 9090 yr BP, participation of steppe elements in vegetation

THE GENER A CLADOPHLEBIS AND TODITES: SOME DOUBTHFUL TAXONOMICAL ASPECTS

Emese Bodor1 and Maria Barbacka2 1Eötvös Loránd University Faculty of Science, Institute of Geology, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, Hungary 2Hungarian Natural History Museum, Bot. Dep., H-1476 Budapest, Pf. 222, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected]

Ferns are prominent elements in the lower Liassic flora of the Mec- • the number of secondary veins in pinnules sek Mountains (southern Hungary), both in number of taxa and high • the branching angle of secondary veins quantity of specimens. • the proportion between pinnules width and length The two most numerous fern morpho-genera, Todites and Clado- Most of characteristics vary in high level, even in the same speci- phlebis, were studied. High number of morphological variations with men, which suggests that using of them in taxonomy may give doubtful transitional forms and high diffraction in statistics were observed. results. The less variable is with-length proportion of pinnules. In purpose of clearing the taxonomic value of some mostly used In result of examination of both genera, Todites princeps seems to features in species determination, they were analysed to establish the be the most problematic because of its habit and different type of ve- variability of these features within one leaf and then in different speci- nation. Then its taxonomic affiliation becomes questionable. Therefore mens. The following identifying features were regarded: a wide-ranging revision of Todites and Cladophlebis would be recom- • margins of the pinnules mended. • apices of the pinnules This study was supported by a grant from the Hungarian National • the angle between pinnules and rachises Science Found (OTKA T 049226).

16 NEW MESOZOIC FLOR AS FROM NORTH VICTORIALAND, ANTARCTICA

Benjamin Bomfleur1, Joerg W. Schneider2, Robert Schöner3, Lothar Viereck-Goette3, Hans Kerp1 and Reinhard Gaupp3 1 Forschungsstelle für Paläobotanik, Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, D-48143 Münster, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Institut für Geologie, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, D-09596 Freiberg/Sachsen, Germany 3 Institut für Geowissenschaften, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, D-07749 Jena, Germany

Apart from petrified wood, no plant megafossils were known from by equisetaleans, whereas bennettitaleans and conifers are rare. In ad- the Mesozoic Beacon Supergroup in North Victorialand (NVL) until 1987, dition, abundant osmundaceous foliage and fragmentary Dicroidium when finds of Triassic plant remains were described from a single local- remains were found in pelitic intraclasts in conglomeratic layers. ity at Vulcan Hills. This compression flora, dominated by Dicroidium and Within the ShPF, fossils occur both as highly fragmented axes and Linguifolium, so far remained the only record of Mesozoic plant mega- foliage in volcaniclastic siltstones, whereas more complete remains oc- fossils from NVL. Here we present Triassic/?Jurassic plant fossils from cur locally in lacustrine beds. The most complete bennettitalean fronds, various new localities, which were discovered during the Ninth German reaching a length of over 40 cm, were recovered from a massive siltstone Antarctic North Victorialand Expedition (GANOVEX IX), carried out in bed at Shafer Peak. Highly remarkable is the occurrence of silicified the austral summer 2005/2006. plant material in a single horizon within a lacustrine unit at Mount Car- The fossils rarely occur within the Triassic Section Peak Formation son. Apart from abundant plant axes, this cherty layer contains numer- (SPF); most of the new finds correlate with the discovery of a previously ous frond fragments of Clathropteris and still unidentified leaf remains. unknown, fine-grained sedimentary sequence of about 50 m thickness, Altogether, the floras from the ShPF consist of osmundaceous (e.g., which conformably overlies the SPF and is informally named “Shafer Cladophlebis), dipteridaceous (Clathropteris) and various bennettitalean Peak Formation” (ShPF). Plant fossils within the predominantly me- fronds (e.g., Otozamites, ?Ptilophyllum), Equisetites, and silicified wood. dium- to coarse-grained SPF sandstones are concentrated in lacustrine The plant associations of the ShPF closely resemble the fossil flora from claystone intercalations near the top of the unit. The most important Lune River, Tasmania. discovery was made at Timber Peak, where the roof shales of a coal A systematic treatment of these floras is still in progress. Future re- seam yielded a compression flora with cuticles. This Timber Peak Flora search will concentrate on cuticles from the Timber Peak Flora and the comprises at least three species of Dicroidium as well as abundant Hei- anatomically preserved material from Mount Carson. diphyllum foliage. Plant associations from other localities are dominated

RECONSTRUCTION OF WOODY PLANT COMMUNITIES AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS IN THE PLIOCENE OF SOUTHERN PRIMORY’E RUSSIAN FAR EAST

Olesya V. Bondarenko Institute of Biology and Soil Science FEB RAS, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

In the Pliocene of Southern Primory’e (Russian Far East) wood frag- and L. aff. sichotealinense, Tilia, oak Quercus primorica, elm Ulmus lac- ments are practically the sole macrofossils, therefore their study is of iniata, birch Betula aff. davurica, Corylus, Fraxinus, Populus, maple Acer a great importance for reconstruction of the plant communities and in- aff. tegmentosum, bird cheery tree Padus aff. maackii, apple-tree Malus terpretation of their environments. However, till now fossil woods from mandshurica, Micromeles alnifolia, Crataegus, Rosa, cheery Cerasus sar- the Pliocene of Southern Primory’e have not been studied. Woody plant gentii, Sambucus, Aralia, Eleutherococcus aff. sessiliflorus grew in the communities and palaeoenvironments have been reconstructed for the low belt of hills removed far from the valley. Perhaps, spruce and larch first time. forests also occurred in this belt. This forests included an admixture of On the basis of taxonomical analysis of the fossil plant remains and Keteleeria zhilinii, Biota orientalis, Magnolia, Castanea, Fagus, Celtis and information on environments of the related extant species the follow- others. ing plant communities have been reconstructed. The bottom-land of Upslope coniferous forests were presented of spruces Picea cf. bi- valley was covered by willow of Chosenia arbutifolia and alder shrubs. color and Piceoxylon ussuriense, fir-trees Abies aff. sachalinensis and A. The low terrace was overgrown with elm thickets of Ulmus japonica. The chavchavadzeae, Pinus, Keteleeria zhilinii, Pseudotsugoxylon pavlovsk- spruce forests of Picea koraiensis with an admixture of P. jezoensis also oc- iense, Tsuga, larches Larix gmelinii, Laricioxylon blokhinae, L. aff. chelebae- curred there in the lower sites. In the high terrace elm thickets included vae, L. aff. korfiense and L. aff. sichotealinense. Apparently, they grew far an admixture of Juglans, Tilia, Fraxinus, Populus, bird cheery tree Padus from the valley and covered southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin. Prob- aff. maackii, pear-tree Pyrus ussuriensis, apple-tree Malus mandshurica, ably, pure spruce and larch forests were also spread there. spruces Picea koraiensis, P. jezoensis, Piceoxylon pavlovskiense and P. ussu- On the basis of fossil wood anatomy and information on environ- riense as well as larches Larix gmelinii, L. olgensis, Laricioxylon blokhinae, ments of the related extant species, it may be supposed that climate in L. pavlovskiense and L. aff. sichotealinense; Spiraea, Corylus and Eleuthero- the Pliocene of Southern Primory’e was, probably, well pronounced sea- coccus aff. sessiliflorus were present in undergrowth and Sambucus – in sonal, relatively warm temperate and humid throughout the year and ravines. Oak forests as well as spruce forests may also grow in this ter- with rather snowy and mild winter. Although, there were, perhaps, years race, and larch forests occurred there in the lower sites. with more severe weather conditions. Coniferous-hardwood forests of spruce Piceoxylon pavlovskiense, The work was supported by grant of the Presidium of Far Eastern larches Larix gmelinii, L. olgensis, Laricioxylon blokhinae, L. pavlovskiense Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (No 06-1-П12-022).

17 COMPAR ATIVE WOOD ANATOMY OF THE PLIOCENE QUERCUS PRIMORICA AND LIVING Q. MONGOLICA

Olesya V. Bondarenko1, Nadezhda I. Blokhina1 and Svetlana A. Snezhkova2 1 Institute of Biology and Soil Science FEB RAS, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Far Eastern National University, Vladivostok, 690600, Russia; e-mail: [email protected]

The Quercus fossil wood remains have been found in the Russian Far of wide rays which appear to the 37th and the 50th growth rings corre- East for the first time. The fossil wood of Q. primorica O.V.Bondarenko, spondently. Blokh. et Snezhk. (Blokhina et al., 2005) comes from the Pliocene of The wood of both oak species, the fossil Q. primorica and living Q. Southern Primory’e (Russian Far East). This species shows a combination mongolica, is ring-porous. Notwithstanding the earlywood in Q. primor- of wood anatomical characters of the living far eastern oaks – Q. mon- ica consists of one to four rows of vessels with large luminae, while Q. golica Fisch. ex Ledeb., Q. crispula Blume and Q. dentata Thunb. Despite mongolica has only one or two rarely three (in very wide growth rings) the presence of some similar anatomical features, Q. primorica differs rows of large vessels. In contrast to Q. mongolica, the fossil Q. primorica from these oaks by the number of rows of large vessels in earlywood, by is characterized by the arrangement of latewood vessels usually in ra- the arrangement of latewood vessels, the height of narrow rays and by dial wavy or, occasionally, dendritic patterns broadening to the growth the seriation of wide rays. ring boundary. In addition to the above, radial wavy bands narrowed to However, the anatomical descriptions of the living far eastern oaks the growth ring boundary as well as triangles with the bases turned to given by G.I. Voroshilova et S.A. Snezhkova (1984) and C.H. Yu (1953) are the growth ring boundary and radial or wavy bands also occur in Q. pri- not identical. This makes it difficult to be used for identification of fossil morica. In the meantime, in Q. mongolica the latewood vessels form only wood with Quercus characters. That was a reason to study an age vari- radial wavy or occasionally dendritic bands. Height of narrow rays and ability of the Q. mongolica wood anatomy in the direction from the core seriation of wide rays are also different in Q. primorica and Q. mongolica. to the bark of stem. The model tree of Q. mongolica has been taken in For example, in Q. primorica the narrow rays are not more than 17 cells the Lazovskiyi Region (Southern Primory’e). The tree studied was ap- high, while in Q. mongolica they are 40–45(56) cells high. In Q. primorica proximately 17 m high and 58 cm in diameter with 67 growth rings. the wide rays are only 10–35-seriate, and in the living Q. mongolica they Age variability of the Q. mongolica wood anatomy has been stud- are 40(47)-seriate. ied for the first time (Bondarenko, 2005). As a result of this study wood Thus, due to the study of age variability of the Q. mongolica ana- anatomy of the Q. mongolica has been detailed. Namely, the diameters tomical features it may be concluded that the wood of fossil Q. primorica of vessels as well as intervessel and vessel-ray pits were given for the is really deferent from the wood of living Q. mongolica and does belong first time. New data on height of narrow rays and seriation of wide rays to a new oak species. were obtained. It may be observed that the basic wood anatomical fea- The work was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research tures of the Q. mongolica have been formed to the 18th growth ring with (grant No 05-04-49907). exclusion of the maximal height of narrow rays as well as the seriation

AN EARLY SPECIES OF PROTOBLECHNUM FROM SUMATR A JAMBI PROVINCE, INDONESIA

Menno Booi 1, Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert1 and Isabel M. van Waveren1 1Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Naturalis, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA, The Netherlands

In the last few years there has been an intensive reinvestigation of One of the most remarkable finds is a new species of the seed fern the Early Permian Jambi flora of Sumatra, Indonesia, as first described by genus Protoblechnum of which a large number of specimens has been col- Jongmans and Gothan. Two recent expeditions have not only provided lected. The variation in morphology shown in these specimens sheds new a much clearer picture of the sedimentology of the area, the deposi- light on the nature of frond architecture of this genus, as well as on the tional circumstances of the fossil plants, but have also rendered a large taxonomy of the Protoblechnum-Compsopteris-Supaia complex as a whole. number of new plant fossils. This material contains new specimens of Also, certain atypical morphological characteristics, coupled with the early species of which up till now very little material was available (e.g. Macra- age of the specimens (Asselian) would strongly suggest that this is an an- lethopteris hallei and an early gigantopterid-like species). cestral form to the majority of Permian Protoblechnum species.

METHOD OF AREALOGR AMS: RECONSTRUCTION OF VEGETATION AND CLIMATE IN THE CENTR AL RUSSIAN PLAIN DURING THE LATE GLACIAL

Olga Borisova Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Staromonetny 29, Moscow 119017, Russia

The use of palaeobotanic data for climate reconstruction implies site in the past. Method of the arealograms permits to avoid the step of that the flora of a certain region reflects the influence of the natural vegetation reconstruction based on similarity of the fossil and recent environment as a whole and of the climate in particular. Geographical pollen spectra on the way to climate reconstruction. analysis of the modern spatial distribution of the plants of a fossil flora A series of arealograms was compiled for the fossil pollen floras from (compilation of a so-called arealogram) allows finding the location of central Russian Plain characterising the main climatic episodes of the the closest modern floristic analogue to the past vegetation at the site. Late Glacial (15–10 K yr BP). They show that the closest modern region- The present-day features of plant communities and the climatic indexes analogues for the fossil floras of the cold stages of the Late Glacial (the of such a region-analogue would be close to those that existed at the Oldest and Younger Dryas) are located in the depressions of the Altai

18 and Sayan Mountains (southern Siberia). Periglacial forest steppe cov- fir forests with minor role of broad-leaved trees (Quercus, Ulmus, Tilia). ered then almost the entire Russian Plain. It combined herbaceous com- The climate was significantly milder than during the Late Glacial cold munities similar to modern cold dry steppe, open woodlands formed by stages: t°Jan -16 °C, t°July 17–18 °C. The mean annual precipitation was 650– tree species growing at present in the Siberian interior, and meadows 700 mm. The mean annual t° was above freezing, which permitted rela- with tundra elements. Ultra-continental climate was characterized by tively thermophilous broad-leaved trees to spread over the area from extremely cold winter (the mean January t° -23 °C to -27 °C) and relatively their glacial refuges. Their presence in the region implies a complete warm summer (the mean July t° ~ 18 °C). The annual magnitude of air t° degradation of permafrost at this period. The Allerød was the most fa- was about 43 °C (15 °C greater than at the present time). The mean an- vorable time for the expansion of dark coniferous forest of Picea abies, nual t° -4 °C provided favorable conditions for the spread of permafrost. Pinus sibirica, and Abies. Nevertheless, the interstadial climate remained The mean annual precipitation was ~400 mm. more severe and continental than the modern climate in the central Rus- Modern region-analogues for the fossil floras of the Bølling and sian Plain. The Younger Dryas cooling caused a temporary disappear- Allerød interstadials are found at the southeastern flanks of the Urals, ance of the broad-leaved species, general reduction of the forests and, where meadow steppes come into contact with pine-birch and spruce- probably, a re-advance of permafrost in the area.

CONIFERS FROM THE SANTONIAN LATE CRETACEOUS FLOR A OF SOUTH LIMBURG THE NETHERLANDS

Hylke F. Bosma1, Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert1, 2 and Raymond W. J. M. van der Ham2 1 National Natural History Museum Naturalis, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands; 2 National Herbarium Netherlands, Leiden branch, P.O. Box 9514, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

In 1922 Kräusel described the Santonian flora from a borehole near C. lignitum were present in any of the leaves. Moreover, a female cone Swalmen (Limburg, The Netherlands). The flora consisted mainly of was found in the material from Swalmen, which resembles a female conifer remains and some angiosperms. On a number of conifer leaves cone found attached to C. squamosus closely (pers. comm. Kunzmann fungi were found as well. When new material of roughly the same age 2005). This female cone appears to have only one seed per sporophyll from near ‘Grenspaal 7’ (boundary post 7, on the border between Bel- and should thus be attributed to the genus Araucarites. gium and The Netherlands, near the village of Cottessen) was found, Kräusel (1922) described one small shoot of Araucaria crassifolia; it was decided to re-examine the Swalmen material as well, especially another shoot with cuticle remains was found and the material is now with regard to the conifer remains as most of the taxa seemed to occur named Araucarites crassifolius. in both localities. Geinitzia formosa is recorded from Swalmen and remains of the fe- No new data were found with respect to some of the taxa already male cone were found for the first time from a Late Cretaceous flora in described by Kräusel; Moriconia cyclotoxon, Sequoia reichenbachii, Se- The Netherlands. quoia sp. and conifer wood. However, new data were acquired for some In the ‘Grenspaal 7’ material one scale of Doliostrobus sp. was found, of the other taxa, and new taxa were found as well. By far the most com- and a shoot and a seed. mon conifer in both assemblages is Cunninghamites squamosus. This Finally, apart from the fungi already recorded by Kräusel, on some of taxon was first described by Kräusel as Elatocladus elegans (now named the conifer remains new fungal taxa were found, both on material from Cunninghamites lignitum, because that name has priority), but careful Swalmen and from ‘Grenspaal 7’. examination of the material revealed that no marginal teeth typical for

GROWTH RINGS AND PHENOLOGY IN TEMPER ATE TREES AND ANATOMICAL CLIMATIC MARKERS FOR FOSSIL WOOD INTERPRETATION.

Anais Boura and Dario De Franceschi USM 0203-UMR 5143 (Paléobiodiversité et Paléoenvironnement) CP38, Département Histoire de la Terre, Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, 8 rue Buffon 75005 Paris, France

Wood anatomy is known to be intimately correlated with climate; The objectives of this study were to develop a method of following the resumption of cambial activity in spring is brought both by internal wood formation, determine intraspecific variation in phenology between chemical factors and external conditions. sites in different geographic locations with different precipitation re- The understanding of tree-ring development over a short tempo- gimes, and compare interspecific patterns in wood formation within sites ral scale is essential in order to understand growth dynamics in trees during one year. We worked on two common species, the chestnut, Cas- and the main factors affecting xylogenesis. It is one of the major issues tanea sativa Mill. and the beech, Fagus sylvatica L, in two French regions. when assessing precise relationship between wood anatomy and mete- Samples were taken from February, 2005, to December, 2005. orological events and thus climate. Cambial reactivation occurs a few weeks after bud flushing. The Although wood and fossil wood is of primary importance to us, the length of the wood formation period is relatively short, from the end of timing and mechanism of wood formation is still poorly known; almost April for the chestnut and May for the beech, to August. The two species all the studies are dealing with homoxylate wood: balsam fir (Abies bal- have a more or less pronounced sigmoid shape in their wood formation, samea), larch (Larix sibirica), scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Pinus cembra, with a slow beginning, followed by a fast growth in the middle of the Picea abies. vegetation period (about June) and a decreasing wood formation activ- The observations made during our study could be particularly ity towards the end of the period (August). But no time-lag seems to meaningful for interpreting fossil wood and brought us a better knowl- happen between the two regions, either in the date of the beginning edge of the window during which the climatic signal directly enters the of wood formation or in the duration of xylogenesis. Climatic factor tree. How do seasons print on the wood? Which part of the wood reacts impacts on the anatomy are now being studied in order to search for to the different meteorological events and how? climate markers usable in palaeobotany.

19 THE PALYNOLOGICAL AND ARCHAEOBOTANICAL RECORD OF THE COASTAL BLACK SEA LAKE DUR ANKULAK, NORTHEASTERN BULGARIA

Elissaveta Bozilova1, Spassimir Tonkov1 and Elena Marinova1 1Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Department of Botany, Laboratory of Palynology, 8 Dragan Tzankov blvd., Sofia-1164, Bulgaria, e-mail: [email protected]

The paleoecological investigations of Holocene sediments from the The paleoethnobotanical finds from the Neolithic, Eneolithic and Bulgarian Black Sea coastal lakes demonstrated the main stages in envi- Bronze Age settlements in the study area comprise wood fragments, ronmental development, vegetation history and human impact for the last fruits and seeds from wild and cultivated species. The neolithization 8 000 years. Two sediment cores from the northernmost Lake Durankulak in northeastern Bulgaria has commenced ca. 5 400–5 300 cal. B.C. The were analyzed by various proxies (pollen, plant macroremains, mollusks, archaeobotanical record indicates three distinct stages of human occu- radiocarbon dating). The results are correlated with the rich archaeologi- pation – late Neolithic and Eneolithic (5 300–4 200 cal. B.C.), transition cal information which allows the reconstruction of the surrounding land- to early Bronze Age (3 500–3 000 cal. B.C.) and after 1 300 cal. B.C. (Late scape, human economy and impact from 5 300 cal. B.C. onwards. Bronze Age). The oldest pollen spectra indicate that the vegetation in the vicin- The human occupation and economy was influenced also by the ity of the lake was dominated by Chenopodiaceae species, together fluctuations of the sea level. The fossil molluscan fauna reveals three with various representatives of Asteraceae and Poaceae, and resembled stages of limnic sedimentation and interaction with the sea. The earliest a xerothermic steppe. This vegetation type included also stands of de- stage around 5 300–4 500 cal. B.C. reflects typical limnic sedimentation ciduous trees (Quercus, Corylus, Carpinus betulus, Ulmus) and changed to followed by a lowering of the water level of the lake when its peripheral a forest-steppe after 4 000 cal. B.C. The subsequent transformation of parts were dried up. The recent development of the surrounding area is the natural vegetation, including deforestation phases and periodical associated with the New Black Sea transgression proved by the appear- abandonment of the arable land, resulted in the formation of secondary ance of typical marine molluscs. xerothermic herb communities

ENVIROMENTAL AND CLIMATIC CHANGES DURING THE HOLOCENE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOMI: RECONSTRUCTION BASED ON PALYNOLOGICAL AND DIATOM DATA

Yulia V. Bratushchak and Tatyana I. Marchenko-Vagapova Institute of Geology of Komi Scientific Centre of Ural branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Holocene deposits are widely distributed in the Republic of Komi Fir forests with pine, birch, and broad-leaved species expanded in (the North-East of European Russia). They are represented by deposits the beginning of the Atlantic period (At-1). Diatom assemblages have of alluvial, limnic and lake-bog origin. a poor species diversity in this phase. Local environment remained The series of outcrops of the Holocene age has been investigated about the same. Pollen spectra indicate insignificant climatic cooling in by diatom and palynological methods. The rich diatom, spore and pol- this stage, dated to Middle Atlantic period (At-2). Birch forests developed len spectra allowed to solve stratigraphic, paleoclimatic and paleogeo- and superseded fir forests at this time. Diatom assemblages keep their graphic problems of investigated sites. Boreal, Atlantic and Subboreal poor diversity and paucity. The South-taiga woods expanded in the biostratigraphic stages have been established and characterized. place of the modern central taiga in the Late Atlantic stage (At-3). This The pollen sequences show that a warming happened to be dur- points to certain climatic warming. The diatom composition indicates ing the Early Boreal stage (Bo-1). An expansion of birch forests with fir, a boggy basin in damp and warm conditions. pine and single broad-leaved species occurred in this time. The diatom Cooling started during the Early Subboreal stage (Sb-1). It resulted flora characterizes conditions of the formation of deposits in shallow, in decrease in large-leaved forest species and reduction in a role of fir. medium-salt lukewarm basin. The short cooling occurred in the Late Bo- The diatom spectra characterize shallow brackish basin conditions. The real stage (Bo-2). The role of a fir decreased but one of birch increased birch-fir forests replaced the fir taiga during the Middle Subboreal stage in the forest composition. Diatoms characterize conditions as a shallow (Sb-2). Diatoms become less rich in species and less numerous. brackish basin.

ONLINE PALYNOLOGICAL DATABASE IN KOMAROV BOTANICAL INSTITUTE OF RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Dmitri A. Britski Komarov Botanical Institute of Russian Academy of Science, Laboratory of Palynology, Ul. Prof. Popova, 2. 197376, St-Petersburg, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

A collection of pollen grains and spores specimens (“sporoteca”) In time we faced with some problem of maintenance collection in has been started at 1960 when our Palynological Group was established. a good condition. Since the beginning of the 90s the collection began The collection has been permanently increased in volume and till 1993 it growing slowly. consisted of more than 12000 specimens. The collection was the back- Loss of valuable palynological information could be prevented by ground for the most of palynological researches. It was very famous for making photos and short descriptions for all specimens according to palynologists of Russia and the former Soviet republics. the standard palynological technique (that was partly realized earlier).

20 Transformation of photos into the digital form must be made them for of pollen grains, taxonomical data and photos. Php-powered user in- more safe keeping (owing to the possibility of file backup). Network terface of the DB provides possibility of search by the most of criteria data access should be made this information widely available for paly- presented in DB tables (except taxon’s author, and the specimen exam- nologists and taxonomists all over the world. ined), organizing as dropping lists. We made an attempt to “digitalize” our collection and create paly- We spent considerably long time to develop and debug the DB in- nological public data as an electronic source. side our laboratory local network. Since March, 2006 it is accessible via To realize this project we have to execute next steps: i) Make digital Internet – http://www.polba.binran.ru. photos from our pollen collection specimens, ii) Compile short formal We started with DB containing photos and palynomorphological description for every species, iii) Place photos and morphological data data on 150 species mainly belonging to Primulaceae family, but the in electronic database developed in a way to search by morphological quantity of inserted species permanently increases in volume. To make and/or taxonomical criteria, iv) Develop Web-interface for the database the process of parametric filling the DB easier, we developed special and organize access to the DB via local network and Internet Php-powered administrative interface. To realize the project we employed PostgreSQL 7.3.1 relational da- To increase the efficiency of our DB as well as the other similar tabase management system and Web-server Apache, belonging to ASP sources, it is necessary to integrate them in a common palynological in- Linux 9.0. formation system (at least by the system of hyperlinks). So we appeal to The database consists of 21 tables containing different characters other laboratories, engaged with similar projects for cooperation.

THE LAKES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC  PALYNOLOGICAL AND PALAEOALGOLOGICAL STUDY

Eva Břízová Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3/131, 118 21 Prague l, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The whole territory of Bohemia and Moravia was located, with ex- Černé Lake (Isoetes lacustris – the only locality in the Czech Republic), ceptions, in the periglacial region during the Quaternary glacial periods. the Čertovo Lake, the Prášilské Lake, the Plešné Lake (Isoetes echinospora The exceptions were the northern most part of Bohemia and the mouth – the only locality in the Czech Republic), in Bavaria there are the Velké of the Moravian Gate through which the continental glacier intruded to and Malé Javorské Lakes, the Ráchel Lake and mountain lakes in the our country in the past and left traces in the shape of moraines and in Krkonoše Mts. situated only on the Polish part, e.g. Wielki Staw (Isoetes Moravia left also sediments of our oldest Stonava Lake. Recovered or- lacustris – the nearest locality of this rare fern to the Černé Lake). New ganic sediments were classified into the Holstein Interglacial (Mindel/ example is the former Stará jímka Lake in the Šumava Mts. Riss) on the basis of pollen analysis. Undoubtedly the biggest original lake in our territory we have to Natural lakes (Černé, Čertovo, Prášilské, Plešné, Laka, Wielki Staw – mention was the Komořanské Lake in the Most Basin in north-western Poland, Stonava, Komořanské, Chrást, Stará Boleslav, Polabské černavy, Bohemia. Soos, Měňanské, Švarcenberk, Velanská cesta) are rare in the Czech Re- Small reservoirs in floodplains with usually only short duration can public, since most of its territory has never been glaciated. As indicated be also called lakes. These are dead channels (paleomeanders) or small by new palynological research, this does not fully apply to southern pools. If we consider sediments of dead channels for a kind of former Moravia. The ongoing palynological research at some sites shows that small lakes, the first ones are in our territory analysed paleomeanders of a number of lakes existed there in the past. Well known examples are the the Labe River (Chrást, Stará Boleslav) and more newly meanders of the former Vracov Lake as well as Čejč Lake (14C: 9 990 ± 275 B.P., preboreal Morava River in the Litovelské Pomoraví area. 10 250–9 100 B.P.; Hv-18924, Hv -14C und 3H-Laboratorium, Niedersäch- In the Třeboň Basin, except for the lake Švarcenberk, the smaller and sisches Landesamt für Bodenforschung, Hannover), Kobylí Lake, Vacen- as well perished lake Velanská cesta near the border with Austria was ovice Lake (14C: 2 900 ± 130 B.P., Gd-17 036, in the depth of 0.36–0.40 m), discovered. Not much is known about its origin. The same can be said Vlkoš Lake (14C: 2 160 ± 160 B.P., Gd-17 011, in the depth of 1.25–1.35 m, about a further former lake in the place of the present reservation Soos Gd: Radiocarbon Laboratory Silesian Technical University, Gliwice). near Františkovy Lázně, where only diatomite analysis has been carried Solely peaks of our highest mountains became in the past covered out so far. with mountain glaciers, but not in all of them functional lakes arose (e.g. The other, in most cases also smaller lakes originated either in the the Krušné hory Mts., the Czech part of the Krkonoše Mts). Therefore, carst regions by accumulation of water in front of travertine cascades, a part of glacial cirques in the Šumava Mts. and in the Krkonoše Mts. e.g. the former Měňanské Lake in the Bohemian Carst, or by impact of are smaller mountains lakes; some of them have nearly undergone silt- airborne sands in the Late Glacial that dammed up a water course or ing – e.g. Laka in the Šumava Mts., others have been lakes so far: the a mouth of the spring area, e.g. Polabské Mollisols-Hrabanovská Mollisol uppermost located and the biggest lake in the Czech Republic – the or the former lake Vracov in southern Moravia.

STAR Á JÍMK A LAKE  RESOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT LATEGLACIAL AND HOLOCENE DEVELOPMENT OF LANDSCAPE, VEGETATION AND LAKE BIOTOPE BOHEMIAN/BAVARIAN FOREST, CZECH REPUBLIC

Eva Břízová1 and Pavel Mentlík2 1 Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3/131, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Geography, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Veleslavínova 42, 306 19 Pilsen, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The Stará Jímka area is located in the vicinity of the Prášilské Lake The Stará Jímka area itself is an approximately 900 m long depres- (the sheet of map Srní 22-333). Prášilské Lake is a lake with a glacial ori- sion with N-S direction which is extended along the steep slope with the gin. The lake is near Prášily village, below the east slope of Poledník Mt. East exposition. The depression is dammed by some long accumulation (1 315 m a. s. l.). The Stará Jímka area lies approximately 1 500 m to the of glacial origin on the East. We can delimit two main parts of the area. north of the Prášilské Lake. The first part, which is in the north, is covered by a spruce forest. The

21 second part (in the south) is almost without tree cover and is very wet. the Stará Jímka area. Samples for pollen analysis were taken at 0.05 m There is a man-made dam approximately at the border between the intervals. two described parts. It is obvious that the north part used to be a water Preliminary results of pollen analysis: reservoir. A small quarry lies to the east from which material for the dam • 1.50 m Abies, Fagus, Picea, Polypodiaceae was extracted. • 2.00 m Pinus, Picea, Sphagnum The core for the pollen analysis: • 2.70 m Corylus, Polypodiaceae, g. Pediastrum and g. Botryococcus It was not considered worth taking a core from the south part of • 3.75 m Pinus, Betula, Corylus, g. Pediastrum and Botryococcus, P. angulo- the Stará Jímka area, because we must assume an anthropogenic influ- sum var. angulosum and P. boryanum var. brevicorne ence there. It used to be common to dredge the sediment from such • 4.00 m Pinus, Betula, Ulmus, g. Pediastrum and Botryococcus reservoirs. • 4.90 m Pinus, Betula, Corylus, Picea, Salix, Polypodiaceae, Botryococcus, There fore the sample was taken in the north part where we can Pediastrum assume natural development of sediments. A 5.10 m core was drilled for • 5.05 m Salix, Juniperus, Betula and Pinus, NAP – Poaceae and Cypera- pollen analysis. The core was prepared in the laboratory and is being ceae, g. Pediastrum and Botryococcus investigated by microscopic analysis. The results of the research are be- • 5.10 m Salix, Juniperus, Betula, Pinus, Hippophaë, Ephedra. ing analysed from a palynological and palaeoalgological point of view. The geomorphological research has been funded by the grant “Com- From the first results of this research, we can say that the core repre- parison of the Quaternary development in the Novohradské Mountains sents the Late Glacial and the whole of Holocene. We can also confirm and in selected parts of the Šumava Mts.” of the Academy of Sciences of assumptions of earlier research that there used to be a glacial lake in the Czech Republic number: KJB300460501.

CLIMATE DEVELOPMENT IN MIOCENE OF CENTR AL EUROPE AS A FORCE FOR LANDSCAPE OPENING

Angela A. Bruch1, Dmitri V. Gromyko2 and NECLIME members3 1 Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt a. M., Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Komarov Botanical Institute, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 3 www.neclime.de

Today, natural grasslands or open landscapes are largely controlled Plant localities have been relocated to estimated palaeopositions to by climate limiting the growing period of plants either by cold tempera- visualize the quantitative data on palaeogeographic maps. These maps tures (tundra type vegetation) or by dryness, partially in combination clearly indicate the spatial patterns of temperatures and precipitation with cold winters (steppe and savanna type vegetation); correspond- with an overall warm, humid, and homogenous climate with very low ingly, it has been argued repeatedly that the Cenozoic climatic dete- latitudinal and longitudinal gradients on one hand. On the other, cli- rioration caused the appearance and expansion of grasslands since the mate changes from Middle to Late Miocene are visible which indicate Oligocene. the tendency towards a higher spatial differentiation of the climate dur- More than 100 European fossil floras of Miocene age have been ing late Neogene.Also the index of summer dryness indicate homog- analysed to quantify the development of temperature and precipitation enous conditions throughout the year for Central Europe in early Late with the Coexistence Approach (CA). Beside temperature parameters Miocene and most of the study area for early Middle Miocene. (mean annual, summer and winter temperatures), CA gives quantitative The retreat of the Paratethys Sea with the decreasing influence of data for mean annual precipitation, precipitation of the wettest, the dri- its water body, the increasing influence of the Atlantic Ocean, and the est, and the warmest months. These parameters can be used to estimate increasing diversification in continental versus marine climate condi- the amount of summer precipitation in relation to the annual distribu- tions are forcing factors of climate change and increasing landscape tion of rainfall (index of summer dryness). opening.

MIOCENE CLIMATE IN EUROPE  PATTERNS AND EVOLUTION. A FIRST SYNTHESIS OF NECLIME

Angela A. Bruch1, Dieter Uhl2 and Volker Mosbrugger1 1Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2Villenstraße 13, 67433 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

In order to obtain a better understanding of long-term palaeocli- rope as one key area are combined to present a summary of the climate mate changes during the Neogene in Eurasia the international research evolution in time and space. More than 300 Miocene fossil floras have network NECLIME – Neogene Climate Evolution in Eurasia was estab- been compiled and quantitatively analysed in terms of several climatic lished in the year 2000. The main objectives of NECLIME are: (1) the quan- parameters during the last years. Quantitative climate maps for Europe titative reconstruction of the Neogene climate evolution in Eurasia and are generated for each Miocene stage. Characteristic climate patterns of its patterns in time and space based on proxy-data and their quantita- appear and can be related to both, global climate change and Alpine tive climatic interpretation by means of standardised techniques, (2) the tectonics. On one hand, it can be stated that the general climatic change reconstruction of Neogene regional and global atmospheric circulation from Middle to Late Miocene, i.e. the decrease in temperature and pre- patterns by means of climate modelling, (3) the analysis of the interac- cipitation, is expressed in the maps. The climate development tends to tion between palaeogeography, vegetation and climate. More details cause an increase in both, latitudinal and seasonal differentiation, espe- about the concept, structure and members of NECLIME can be found cially for temperature parameters. On the other, the palaeogeographic on the NECLIME homepage www.neclime.de. In this first synthesis pub- evolution during the Miocene obviously has strong influence on the cli- lication results of NECLIME activities focussing on the Miocene of Eu- matic picture by mountain building and the retreat of the Paratethys.

22 PALAEOCLIMATIC VARIATIONS DURING THE MIDDLE AND UPPER TRIASSIC OF THE SOUTHERN ALPS

Nicoletta Buratti1, Simonetta Cirilli1, Piero Gianolla2, Peter A. Hochuli3, Evelyn Kustatscher4, Nereo Preto5 and Guido Roghi5 1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Piazza Università 1, Perugia, Italy, e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Corso Ercole I d’Este, 32, Ferrara, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Paläontologisches Institut Universität Zürich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Naturmuseum Südtirol, Bindergasse 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 5 Dipartimento di Geologia, Paleontologia e Geofisica, Via Giotto 1, Padova and Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources – CNR, Via Garibaldi 37, 35137 Padova, Italy, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Very few central and southern European areas permit to study were all located at similar palaeolatitudes, but shifted between the Early palynomorphs from biostratigraphically well constrained successions. Triassic and the Early Jurassic from approximately 15° to 20° North. Middle-Upper Triassic palynomorph assemblages from marine sections The Middle Triassic series encompass the Gracilis, Dont and Livinal- of the Tethyan realm, rich in ammonoids and conodonts, are known longo Formations of the Dolomites and the Val di Centa and Val Gola from the Southern Alps and from Hungary. Integrated biostratigraphic Formations in the Adige Valley. The Upper Triassic series belong to the schemes have been developed based on these sections. San Cassiano Formation of the Dolomites, and the Rio del Lago, Conzen, In the attempt to define palaeoclimatic patterns for the Triassic Tor and Carnitza Formations of Cave del Predil in the Julian Alps and to of the Southern Alps, counts of at least 200 sporomorphs per sample the Argillite di Riva di Solto in the Lombardy Basin. have been carried out at generic levels for several sections. Based on Most sections from the Southern Alps are well calibrated with am- their botanical and ecological affinities the sporomorph genera are ar- monoids and conodonts. The comparison of the quantitative data al- ranged into groups of hygrophytic and xerophytic affinity, respectively. lows us to define several short-ranged palaeoclimatic shifts during The quantitative data are also grouped according to the environmental the Middle-Upper Triassic. This time interval is traditionally considered affinity of the mother-plants of the sporomorphs following the Sporo- a warm period with peaks in aridity. However, the analysis of the Ital- morph Ecogroup (SEG) model. Additionally, analyses of organic matter ian sections reveals several intervals with more humid conditions. Such and sedimentary facies are presented for the studied sections. conditions can be inferred for the Pelsonian (late Anisian), Fassanian The analysed sections are distributed all over the Southern Alps, (early Ladinian), Longobardian (late Ladinian), Julian (early Carnian) and from the Julian Alps in the East to the Lombardy basin on the West. They the early-mid Norian.

THE MACROFLOR A FROM THE PERMIAN FROM THE BLETTERBACH BUTTERLOCH AREA NITALY

Rainer Butzmann1, Thilo Fischer2, Hans Kerp3, Barbara Meller 4 , Evelyn Kustatscher5 and Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg – van Cittert6 1 München, Fuggerstr. 8, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Technische Universität München, 85350 Freising, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Universität Münster, 48143 Münster, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Geologische Bundesanstalt, 1030 Wien, Austria, e-mail: [email protected] 5 Naturmuseum Südtirol, Bolzano, 39100, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 6 Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Utrecht, 3584 CD and Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

Plant remains from the Permian of northern Italy have been re- ing origin also to several new species (Ortiseia visscheri, Ortiseia jonkeri, ported since the 19th century, although many authors noted that they Majonica alpina, Dolomitica cittertiae). Bulk macerations show a flora were often small and poorly preserved. One of the most famous Per- strongly dominated by conifers; additional elements include pteri- mian plant localities in the Southern Alps is the locality of Bletterbach dosperms and ginkgophytes. in South Tyrol. Palynological studies confirmed the low frequence of hygrophilous In the middle of the last century (1946–1957) the collected macrore- taxa and dated the plant-bearing beds in the Bletterbach-Butterloch mains have been interpreted as stem fragments of lycophytes (Lepido- section to the Middle Permian (?Capitanian) for the lowermost part of dendron) as well as fossil tree trunks and shoots of conifers (Lebachia = the section and a Late Permian (Abadehian to Changxingian) age for the Walchia). More recent studies have shown that these identifications can- rest of the sequence. not be confirmed. The specimens identified as Lepidodendron represent Recently, at least two horizons have been recovered in the Blet- defoliated conifer axes. Their rhomboidal leaf scars may have lead to the terbach/Butterloch area with well-preserved macroremains. These are confusion. However, this genus Lepidodendron had become extinct in composed of fossil tree trunk-fragments and some shoots and leaves Europe by the end of the Carboniferous. belonging to various conifer taxa (e.g. Ortiseia, Walchia). Additionally Afterwards (1974–1988), studies were primarily focused on fossil leaves have been collected and attributed to the Ginkgophytes (?Sphe- cuticles, which appear to be excellently preserved in this locality, giv- nobaiera) and probably also some leaf fragments of cycads.

23 PLIOCENE PLANT COMMUNITIES OF ANTARCTICA

David J. Cantrill1, Jane E. Francis2, Allan C. Ashworth3 and Steve Roof4 1Department of Palaeobotany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail: [email protected], and National Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Victoria, 3141, Australia 2Earth Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 3Department of Geosciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5517, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 4Hampshire College, Amherst, MA.01002-3359, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

The onset of Antarctic glaciation in the earliest Oligocene, and in- cate that complex tundra communities survived until relatively recent tensification in the Miocene, has long been thought to signal the end geological times. The plants present include dwarf Nothofagus, cushion to complex vascular plant communities. Today just two vascular plant plants and variety of mosses. A combined sedimentological and palae- species survive on the northernmost margins of the Antarctica. How- ontological approach has allowed us to reconstruct the environments ever, discoveries in the Pliocene Sirius Formation and equivalents indi- and suggest the spatial dynamics of these communities.

STUDIES OF PLANT MACROREMAINS IN THE QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS OF LATVIA

Aija Cerina University of Latvia, Institute of Geology, 19 Rainis Blvd, Riga, Latvia, LV 1586, e-mail: [email protected]

The Pleistocene fossil floras of Latvia have been studied since the lian, alluvial and lake deposits) – 3 sections; the Raunis interstadial Beds th end of the 19 century. Investigations of the macroremains in Latvia lgQ3ltv of the Latvia Formation (Late Weichselian, lake deposits) – 6 sec- cover the entire sequence of the Quaternary deposits. However, this tions; the Jelgava or Zemgale Beds of the Latvia Formation (Late Weich- method is mainly used for investigations of the Pleistocene Late Glacial selian, alluvial and lake deposits) – 4 sections. The quantitative criteria sediment sequences, interstadial and interglacial basin sediments until are not used for the determination of the flora’s age in Latvia because now. The number of the investigated Holocene sites is small. several sediment sections do not contain enough number of plant spe- The data of plant macroremain studies allow to determine interrup- cies, for instance, there are determined just 20–30 species in entire se- tion in the sedimentation of the Pleistocene and Holocene deposits, to quence. The richest are the interglacial sediment sequences of the Satiki find out redeposited sediment sequences, which contain mixed floras, site (Eemian) and Pulvernieki site (Holsteinian) and they contain only as well as to perform climatostratigraphical and paleoecological conclu- 75 taxa. The extinct species and regional exotics are most important for sions. the flora’s age determination. The Lyell-Reid dynamic method based on the determination of an Plant macroremain studies of the Holocene sections have been car- extinct species, regional and local exotic have been used for determi- ried out in collaboration with archaeologists. The nature conditions, hu- nation of the fossil flora of the Pleistocene deposits. The fossil flora, man impact on the local vegetation has been cleared out from studies including exotic, of each section have been compared with the recent at the Stone Age settlements Purciems (at the western coast of the Gulf plant association characteristic for the particular geobotanical region of Riga (Baltic Sea) former Littorina Sea lagoon shore. The source of the of Latvia. Plant macroremains were studied for 22 Pleistocene sediment ancient man food was searched. Large number remains of Trapa natans sections representing following formations: the Zidini Formation, lQ2zd and Corylus avellana used for food have been found at the Zvidze site,

(Cromerian, lake deposits) – 1 section; the Pulvernieki Formation, lQ2pl Lubans Plain. There was found that large number of the seeds are not (Holsteinian, alluvial and lake deposits) – 5 sections; the Akmenrags For- only burned but also mineralised with limonite and gypsum. Therefore, mation, mQ2akm (Holsteinian, marine, lagoonal and nearshore deposits) it was necessary to analyse also heavy (submerged) plant macroremain

– 9 sections; the Felicianova Formation, lQ3fl (Eemian, alluvial and lake fraction. It can be recommended to turn special attention to study plant deposits) – 7 sections; the Rogali Beds lgQ3ltv (Early Weichselian, alluvial macroremain heavy fraction of sediments from lake coastal zone. and lake deposits) – 8 sections; the Lejasciems Beds, (Middle Weichse-

ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF LOWER DEVONIAN RHYNIE CHERT PLANTS

Alan Channing School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University, CF10 3YE, Wales, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

Wetland habitats common at Rhynie and Windyfield and produced temperature, low-lying geothermal wetland environments are areally the by hot springs during the Lower Devonian include active and dormant most important for plant preservation. Such areas are typified by silica su- vent-pools, wet sinter-aprons, run-off streams, geothermal wetlands plus persaturated geothermal waters with elevated temperatures (up to 45 °C), ephemeral pools and ponds developed in depressions on sinter aprons alkaline pH (7.0–9.1), brackish salinity, high conductivity (up to 3500 µS/ and alluvial plains. Waterlogged substrate conditions were common cm) and high concentrations of dissolved phytotoxic elements. The veg- across broad areas of the environment as indicated by an absence of red- etation most often silicified in Yellowstone is therefore hydrophytic (gen- beds, silicification of clastic lithologies and formation of pyrite and reten- erally emergent aquatic), halophylic, alkaliphilic and heavy metal (e.g. As, tion of carbon in the subsurface. Flooding and sinter deposition were Hg) tolerant. Two typical species are Triglochin maritimum and Eleocharis inherent to the environment and occurred repeatedly and protractedly rostellata, which are both geographically widespread outside Yellowstone creating very stressed environments. Investigations of patterns of plant in saline/alkali seep and salt marshes, stressed environments that appear colonisation and fossilisation in active alkali-chloride hot spring areas of to pre-adapt them to life in geothermal wetlands but decrease their abil- Yellowstone reveal that of the wetland settings present at Rhynie, low- ity to compete with local mesophytic plants.

24 At Rhynie, pre-adaptation may have been to alkaline/saline-soil events) and physiological drought during life in and flooding by brack- waters and brackish fluviolaccustrine environments. Whilst anatomi- ish geothermal waters. Rhynie plants are thus considered stress tolera- cal structures such as cuticle, stomata and vascular tissues illustrate tors able to cope with both eventualities, but thriving in the hot spring homoiohydry, detailed arrangements of cells illustrate high water use environment where mesophyte elements of the regional flora were efficiency adaptations to variability of water supply and water quality excluded. As such they may not truly represent coeval Lower Devonian that may have induced real drought stress (i.e. between fluvial flooding vegetation.

VEGETATION AND CLIMATE DYNAMICS IN THE CENTR AL AND EASTERN EUROPE PALAEOENVIRONMENT RECONSTRUCTION OVER THE LATITUDINAL TR ANSECT

Anna Chepurnaya1 and Elena Novenko1 1Institute of Geography Russian Academy of Science, 119017, Moscow, Staromonetny 29, Russia, e-mails: [email protected], e-mail: [email protected]

The spatial-temporal vegetation and climate dynamics through (Carpinus-Picea phase) was marked by an essential similarity of vegeta- the Eemian (Mikulino) Interglacial have been examined along the lati- tion all over the region investigated. Nevertheless, a floristic provincial tudinal transect (50–60° N). The territory under consideration extends differentiation is detectable. Mixed broad-leaved forests in Central Eu- from the Central Europe (10° E) to the East European plain (up to the Ural rope included species that indicate a certain oceanicity of climate (Ilex Mountains, 55° E). Pollen data from more than 40 sections have been aquifolium, Hedera helix, Taxus baccata, etc). The participation of these analysed in order to reconstruct vegetation and climate conditions at plants decreases eastward. Of those species, only Tilia platyphyllos and three time-slices during the Interglacial. The time slices were selected Viscum album are found in the Eemian pollen assemblages in the east- to represent the most characteristic stages: the Pinus-Quercetum mix- ern part of the transect. On the other hand, plant communities of the tum-Corylus phase (zones E3 and E4a after Menke and Tynni, 1984; or cooler intervals differed noticeably from west to east, primarily in the zone M4 after Grichuk, 1982); the Carpinus-Picea phase (zone E5 or zone proportion of broad-leaved species in vegetation. M4 respectively); and the Pinus-Picea-Abies phase (E6 after Menke and When considering the reconstructed parameters of the Eemian Tynni, 1984) or Picea phase (zone M7 after Grichuk, 1982). Climatic char- climate, it is essential that winter temperatures show greater positive acteristics (mean temperatures of the warmest and coldest months) for deviation from the present day values than summer ones. As for winter each time slice were determined using the floristic method of paleo- temperatures, their positive deviations were more considerable in the climatic reconstruction – the method of climagrams, developed in the east of the transect than in the west– 10 °C and 2 °C respectively. Sum- Laboratory of Evolutionary Geography IG RAS (Grichuk, 1985). The result mer (July) temperature deviations were no more than 1 °C both in the of this investigation is a series of maps showing vegetation pattern and east and in the west. temperature distribution during the Eemian. At the Eemian (Mikulino) Interglacial optimum, the latitudinal gradi- As follows from considered data, changes of environment and cli- ent of temperatures was considerably reduced. Continentality of climate mate became more contrast from west to east. At the same time, the in the east of the continent was much less than at present as a result of main phases in the evolution of vegetation appear to be similar through- evident penetration of oceanic influences farther eastwards. out the latitudinal belt under consideration. The interglacial optimum

PHYTOGEOGR APHY OF MOSCOVIAN MEDULLOSALEANS OF EUROPE AND THE CANADIAN MARITIMES

Christopher J. Cleal Department of Biodiversity and Systematic Biology, National Museum Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

Medullosaleans were a group of seed-plants that were abundant the ‘paralic’ Variscan Foreland, with the level of differentiation remain- and widely distributed in the Moscovian palaeotropical wetland forests ing constant throughout much of Moscovian times. Only towards the (‘coal forests’). Their disseminules were relatively large seeds that would end of the Moscovian Age (the early Cantabrian Subage in the regional have placed some constraints on their distribution, making them po- European chronostratigraphy) is there some evidence of this provincial- tentially valuable phytogeographical tools. There is a clear difference ism breaking-down. in the medullosalean species found in the intramontane basins and in

SYNECOLOGICAL CHANGES FROM THE BARREMIAN TO THE SANTONIAN OF WESTERN EUROPE

Clement Coiffard1, Bernard Gomez2 and Fréderic Thevenard1 1 UCB Lyon 1 et UMR 5125, Paléobotanique, 7 rue Dubois, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France 2 UMR 6118 du CNRS Géosciences, Université Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, avenue du Général Leclerc, F-35042 Rennes, France

The Cretaceous was a key period for the terrestrial vegetation Method to analyze Barremian to Santonian evolution of European veg- history, and corresponded to a turnover from gymnosperm s.l. to etations, four stages are distinguished and bring new evidences on the angiosperm-dominated vegetation. Using the Wagner’s Parsimony diversification and rise to dominance of angiosperms. The first stage

25 consists of a Barremian/Aptian increase in angiosperm taxonomical and angiosperms, which occupied nearly all environments and began to de- ecological diversity, and mostly shows aquatic angiosperms. The devel- velop opportunist trees. The latter diversification may also be related to opment of understorey plants followed, and maybe related to renewed warmer conditions. The angiosperm trees became dominant from the warm conditions during the Albian (after a relatively colder Late Aptian). Turonian onward. The Albian/Cenomanian is marked by a tremendous diversification of

REINVESTIGATION OF THE INSECT LIMESTONE FLOR A, EARLIEST OLIGOCENE, ISLE OF WIGHT.

Margaret E. Collinson1, Peta Hayes2 and Andrew Ross2 1 Department of Geology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW75BD, United Kingdom, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

The Insect Limestone is a richly fossiliferous, very fine-grained, thin of leaves and winged or plumed fruits and seeds from trees, alongside limestone band within the Bembridge Marls Member of the Bouldnor the more ubiquitous marshland and aquatic fruits and seeds well known Formation, Solent Group, of earliest Oligocene age. Key outcrops oc- from this time interval. We will discuss the application of various imag- cur in Thorness Bay on the Isle of Wight. The flora was originally mo- ing techniques that are being used to try to obtain relevant botanical nographed in “Catalogue of Cainozoic Plants in the Department of information for critical species that may be represented by a single Geology”, a British Museum (Natural History) publication by Reid and specimen in a poor and delicate state of preservation. The presentation Chandler published in 1926. With the exception of a few taxa there have will focus on key elements in the flora including their significance for (i) been no subsequent revisions of this flora. Furthermore, the Museum documenting early fossil occurrences of angiosperm genera, (ii) recon- collection drawers contain fossils in an ironstone lithology that come structing vegetation and habitats and (iii) understanding insect/plant from a different horizon, probably higher in the sequence. Our current interactions. When combined with the insect revision our work will pro- project is being undertaken in the context of a major revision of the co- vide an exceptional window on a continental community that existed occurring insect fauna (led by A.Ross) in order to place the insects in just prior to the onset of the Oi-1 glaciation that marks a global transi- a well-understood vegetational framework. The Insect Limestone flora tion from a greenhouse to an icehouse world. is distinctive amongst British late Paleogene floras due to preservation

FIRE REGIMES AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS ACROSS THE ONSET OF THE PALEOCENE/EOCENE THERMAL MAXIMUM, S. ENGLAND

Margaret E. Collinson 1, David C. Steart1, Luke Handley2, Richard D. Pancost 2, Andrew C. Scott1, Ian J. Glasspool3, Jerry J. Hooker 4 and Andy Stott5 1 Geology Department, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 2 University of Bristol, Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, Organic and Biological Chemistry Section, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom 3 Department of Geology, The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60605-2496, USA 4 Palaeontology Department, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 SBD, United Kingdom 5 Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility, CEH-Lancaster, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, United Kingdom

Qualitative and quantitative coal petrological analyses and com- overlying blocky lignite (deposited after the onset but during the early pound-specific carbon isotope analyses have been undertaken on the part of the PETM) virtually lacks charcoal. It is derived from decomposed Cobham Lignite Bed, from Cobham, Kent, England. Carbon isotope peat. The loss of the episodic fire regime and change in the nature of the results from analyses of C29 and C27 n-alkanes exhibit a major negative lignite is most likely caused by increased rainfall. shift in 13C of c. 3 per mil within a 20 mm interval near the top of the The environmental conditions leading up to and across the onset laminated lignite. The recognition of this negative excursion in both the of the PETM are, therefore, interpreted as incorporating a persistent fire

C29 and C27 n -alkanes and bulk organic carbon is here taken to elimi- regime with episodic wildfires followed by rainfall and run-off events. nate causal factors other than a change in palaeoatmospheric CO2 and, Abundant charcoal indicates near modern oxygen levels whilst the hence, to confirm the presence and stratigraphic location of the onset of absence of charred peat calls into question previous suggestions that the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum in the Cobham Lignite Bed. burning of Paleocene peats might have contributed to the short-lived The lower laminated lignite has inertinite-rich and inertinite-poor negative carbon isotope excursion at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary. layers indicative of episodic fires and post-fire erosion. The inertinite In contrast, carbon isotopic analyses of bacterially-derived hopanes clasts are derived from living or recently senesced plants and are domi- reveal a major shift in microbial communities from heterotrophy to nated by charred leaf stalks of herbaceous ferns and wood fragments methanotrophy consistent with the hypothesis that a massive release from flowering plants. The charcoal assemblage reflects a low diversity of methane gas hydrates was a key factor in inducing the rapid global flora, possibly adapted to disturbance by fire, derived from a source warming at the onset of the PETM. vegetation subjected to seasonal surface wildfires. In sharp contrast, the

26 TURONIAN ANGIOSPERMS FROM NEW JERSEY USA

William L. Crepet1 and Maria A. Gandolfo1 1 L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Department of Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

Studies of angiosperm history have been dominated by two under- Fossils from the Crossman locality have contributed a great deal to our lying areas of inquiry aimed at: one, resolving relationships both among understanding of the pattern of angiosperm radiation. They are notable angiosperms and between angiosperms and non-angiospermous seed for representing the earliest appearances of numerous taxa and have plants, and two, establishing causation and circumstances associated therefore been important in estimating the timing of angiosperm diver- with successful angiosperm radiation. While progress in understand- sification. These fossils include a well developed nymphaealean genus, ing within angiosperm relationships has been stunning due to algo- a diverse magnolialean flora of extinct taxa, and derived monocots. rithm development combined with molecular systematics (integrated They also reveal that tricolpate and tricolpate-derived angiosperms variously with morphological/paleobotanical data), the question of had already experienced a significant radiation manifest, not only in di- angiosperm-non-angiosperm relationships, although more focused verse hamamelids, but also in a surprising array of rosids in addition to now, remains largely unresolved. Similarly, pinpointing relative advan- early asterids. Both specific floral characters and individual taxa further tages that would explain angiosperm success has been difficult. A shift suggest that highly derived forms of insect pollination were well estab- in the field of paleobotany to include fossils germane to these areas of lished by Turonian times. In the context of the overall fossil record of inquiry (angiosperm flowers) began in the mid 1970’s. Now such fossils angiosperms, the Turonian appears as both a major stage in angiosperm from important localities around the world are routinely included in history characterized by considerable diversity and as a threshold pre- paleobotanical investigations. One such locality, the Turonian Crossman ceding the significant modernization and radiation of taxa that began in site from New Jersey USA, has played an important role in elucidating the remaining Cretaceous and extended into the Early Tertiary. angiosperm history because of its diverse and well preserved flowers.

DIVERSITY OF EARLY PERMIAN SPHENOPSIDS FROM PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA

Néstor Rubén Cúneo1 and Ignacio Escapa1 1MEF. Av. Fontana 140, Trelew, Chubut, Argentina, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Sphenopsids is a group of particular importance in early Permian ing the lately described genera Peltotheca and Cruciaetheca, plus pos- floras from Patagonia in southern Argentina. Both Sphenophyllales and sible calamitacean representatives like Annularia and Asterophyllites, Equisetales are conspicuously represented and highly diversified in the with several species. A new morphotype recalls Cruciaetheca in showing Río Genoa Formation. Interestingly, most taxa recorded occur through- fertile internodes between unmodified leaf whorls, however sporangi- out vegetative and reproductive organs, which allows a better interpre- ophores are disposed on the lower half of the internodes and bear much tation in terms of natural taxa and then true diversity. Sphenophyllales larger sporangia. are of course identified from the presence of the genus Sphenophyllum, Clearly, these highly diversified sphenopsid representatives sug- which includes at least five species that closely resemble any Euroamer- gest a definitely anomalous situation in terms of Gondwana paleoflo- ican Westfalian or early Permian assemblage, a fact unique for Gond- ras at the beginning of the Permian. In this regard, strong affinities of wana. More recently, additional forms have been discovered, including this group of articulate plants with coeval records from Euramerica and classical ribbed axes with leaf whorls of Sphenophyllum type but bearing Angara suggest a particular phytogeographic role of the Patagonian in the same axes intercalated reproductive parts that resemble sphe- region in the early Permian floristic context. This is also important in nophyll strobili in having modified leaves or bracts with axillar sporan- terms of the phylogenetic context for many of these sphenopsids, par- giophores. This organization clearly differs from the classical terminal ticularly Equisetales, which suggest a possible alternative scenario from structures typically seen in Sphenophyllostachis/Bowmanites. the historical one regarding the origin and relationships of the modern The Equisetales, on the other hand, appear more diversified includ- Equisetum.

MACROREMAINS OF CULTUR AL AND WILD PLANTS FROM EARLY MEDIEVAL TO EARLY MODERN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITUATIONS IN THE CENTRE OF PR AGUE  AREAS OF PR AŽSKÝ HR AD PR AGUE CASTLE AND OF MALÁ STR ANA LESSER TOWN

Věra Čulíková Archeologický ústav AV ČR Praha, Bezručovo nám. 1, 746 01 Opava, Czech Republic

Nearly for half a century archaeological analyses of macroremains macroremains from archaeological situations in the territory of historical coming from anthropogenic sediments of the extinct settlements in the core of Prague were taken for the first time in the 1970s within the rescue Czech Republic territory have been completing, often surprisingly, our research in the course of construction of Prague metro, reconstructions knowledge and ideas about the life of inhabitants. Interpretations of the of buildings, demolition works, etc. In the 1980s E. Opravil performed ar- results of analyses from semi-natural sediments aim to the paleorecon- chaeobotanical analyses of the samples coming from several Prague lo- struction of the environment in the surroundings of agglomerations of calities. The most remarkable finds, dated to the 11th–12th centuries were urban or rural character. The quantity of valuable pieces of information contained in the first set from Malá Strana. It constituted ca. 70 species about spreading of plant species, evolution of plant communities and of plants. The first collection of diaspores from the area Pražský hrad regional floras is growing. In the Czech Republic analyses of pollen and – from Lobkovic palace was processed by Z. Dohnal also in the 1980s. spores have been completing the macroremains (pollen, fruits, wood) The material covered the time span from the 9th to the 14th centuries from the strata of urban deposits since the 1980s. Samples with vegetal and presented 86 plant species. Since the beginning of the 1990s till the

27 present days samples of anthropogenic sediments of all sorts coming turies or to the 17th century. Thanks to the time span, considerably high from archaeological research in Malá Strana within the area of Pražský number of samples and more sensitive method of floating the spectrum hrad have been accumulated for analyses performed by V. Čulíková at of species counts with much over 200 taxa of herbs and woody plants. specialized archaeobotanical workplace in Opava. Results from part of Among them are also unique archaeobotanical finds (with the priority the localities have already been published (Malá Strana: Hartig palace, in Central Europe) – for example Nicotiana rustica, Phytolacca americana. Lichtenštejn palace, Mostecká/Josefská streets; Pražský hrad: IIIrd court- The goal of partial studies is drawing a picture, as complete as possible, yard, 5 localities from the central part), analyses of other ones are under of the environment evolution and transformation at Pražský hrad and in way. From archaeological point of view the oldest Medieval samples Malá Strana within the period from the Early Middle Ages till the early from Malá Strana as well those from Pražský hrad have been dated to Modern Period. They contribute to comparison of material cultures in the 9th century, the youngest (from Hradčany area) to the 16th/17th cen- both the localities situated only a short way apart.

FERNS OF THE BOHEMIAN CENOMANIAN AND THEIR IN SITU SPORES

Jiřina Dašková1 and Jiří Kvaček2 1 Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 National Museum, Prague, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Ferns of the families Matoniaceae, Schizaeaceae, Gleicheniaceae angia containing smooth trilete spores of the form genus Matonisporites. and their in situ spores were studied. Material comes from the the Peruc- The genus Nathorstia is based on poorly preserved material, which does Korycany Formation (Cenomanian) of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin not show details of sporangia and spores. Gleicheniopsis brnikianus sp. (the Czech Republic). Fronds of Anemia cenomanica sp. n. (Schizaeaceae) nov. shows bipinnate broadly lanceolate fronds bearing on abaxial site show two types of fronds. Sterile fronds are broadly lanceolate, while 3–6 sori per pinnula. Each sorus is circular containing 15–30 sporangia. fertile pinnules are reduced enclosing numerous sporangia, which con- Bipinnate triangular fronds of “Gleichenia” sp. display sterile pinnules in tain cicatricose spores assigned to the form genus Cicatricosisporites. basal part and fertile pinnules in appical part. Each fertile pinnulae is Schizaeaopsis ekrtii J. Kvaček, Dašková et Pátová (Schizaeaceae) exhibits elongate with terminally arranged single sorus, which is circular bear- dichotomously branched fronds. Sterile fronds dichotomise four times. ing 8–10 sporangia. Onychiopsis sp. shows bi-pinnate strongly modified Tips of fertile segments are modified into sporangiophores containing fertile fronds. Fertile segments consist of elliptical to ovate capsule-like sporangia in one row containing cicatricose spores of Plicatella type. “Na- organs completely enclosing sori with trilete, laevigate spores. Finan- thorstia” sp. exhibits bi-pinnate fronds with lanceolate pinnules bearing cially supported by the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (No. two rows of sori. Each sorus is tightly covered by circular, probably per- Z 3013 0516 – JD) and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (No. sistent indusium, and consists of radially arranged wedge-shaped spor- MK 00002327201 – JK).

A DATABASE ON THE PARIS MUSEUM COLLECTION OF PALEOBOTANY

Dario De Franceschi1, P. Arab1, Anaïs Boura1, Jean Dejax1, Christiane Gallet1, Catherine Hanotin1 and Peggy Vincent1 1Département Histoire de la Terre, MNHN, CP38, 8 rue Buffon 75005 Paris, France

The gathering of fossil plants in the “Muséum National d’Histoire Among about 600 contributors of the collection, the greatest are Naturelle” of Paris (MNHN) was initiated by the French “father” of the Adolphe Brongniart, G. de Saporta, C. Grand’Eury, B. Renault, A.D. Wa- paleobotany, Adolphe Brongniart. From the very beginning, this collec- telet or E. Bureau, because many type specimens are issued from their tion was devoted to fossil plants from diverse stratigraphic level out- works. But many other important contributors provided sets of samples crops and from all regions of the world. At the end of the 19th century, that need now further investigations. For instance, old collections con- Bureau (1893) estimated this historical collection at about 70 000 speci- tain fossils collected and / or studied by Braun, Ettingshausen, Graeser, mens, obtained by prospectings, exchanges or gifts by many paleo- Gravenhorst, Hutton, Koninck, Leichhartd, Mantel, Meneguzzo, Murray, botanists from diverse countries. Since then the collection increased in Schimper, Sismonda, Sternberg, Unger, Zeiller, Zigno… number of specimens and outcrop origins. The represented taxa of the MNHN collection belong to all main In order to get better means for scientific evaluation and manage- clades, principally to Embryophytes. Numerous samples of different ment of the collection, we established a database in 1998. The infor- families of Lycophytes, Sphenophytes and Filicophytes are present. mation concerning more than 30 000 specimens is now recorded. This Spermatophytes are represented by “pteridospermatophytes” taxa represents nearly the third of the MNHN collection, estimated at about (Medullosaceae, Lyginopteridaceae, …), as well as Cycadophytes, Conif- 100 000 specimens. A complete survey is in progress, and other general erophytes, Glossopteridales and Bennettitales. Angiosperm fossil sam- information is also recorded. ples are very well diversified in Cenozoic paleofloras. As a first result of the database use, we can estimate different pa- The richness of this collection is still under exploited: we estimate rameters concerning the collection. It contains fossils from 59 countries that even in the historical collection less of 1/3 of the samples are cor- and more than 1 500 sites. The fossils from Europe and especially France rectly studied and reported to a paleobotanical taxon. The contribution constitute the main part of the collection (geographic Europe 70 %, of specialists of different taxa is needed to improve the scientific value France nearly 50 % of the collection). through revisions or completely new studies on this irreplaceable col- The stratigraphic scale is covered from the Lower Devonian up to lection. The database is questionable through the internet network, and the Quaternary, but the richest collections mainly date from Paleozoic the study of the samples is possible in the MNHN laboratory of paleo- (Carboniferous) and Cenozoic. botany.

28 LATE BARREMIAN DELTA PLAIN VEGETATION BEYOND CHEIROLEPIDIACEOUS SWAMPS UÑA, SW IBERIAN R ANGES, SPAIN: A PALYNOLOGICAL APPROACH

Montserrat De la Fuente1, Reinhard Zetter2, Carles Martín-Closas3 and Bernard Gomez4 1 Museo Geominero. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. Ríos Rosas, 23. 28003 Madrid, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institut für Paläontologie. Universität Wien. Geozentrum. Althanstrasse, 14. 1090 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Departament d’Estratigrafia, Paleontologia i Geociències Marines. Facultat de Geologia. Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer de Martí i Franquès, s/n. 08028 Barcelona, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Géosciences. Université de Rennes 1. UMR 6118 Bâtiment 15, pièce 315/2, 263 Av. du Général Leclerc CS 74205, 35042 Rennes, France, e-mail: [email protected]

In the last decade, the lacustrine delta of Uña (Late Barremian of consist of different semitectate types and a tectate type. Semitectate the Southwestern Iberian Ranges) has been the object of a number of angiosperms include types with (1) transversely segmented muri (Afro- studies including sedimentology, vertebrate palaeontology, palaeobot- pollis), (2) transversely striate muri, (3) supratectal sculpture (Clavatipol- any and plant taphonomy. From the point of view of plant taphofacies lenites), and (4) crotonoid types (Stellatopollis). Tectate angiosperms are Gomez and Martín-Closas (2001, 2002) reported the occurrence of a rich small (10 μm long in average), and show a faintly granulate surface orna- assemblage of Frenelopsis ugnaensis-Classostrobus ugnaensis represent- mented with minute coni. ing a monospecific community of cheirolepidiaceous conifers in swamps Samples from the floodplain deposits consist of grey micaceous of the upper delta plain and along the lakeshore around the delta front. silts that contain a high rate of cuticles and palynomorphs. Many of the In contrast to the cheirolepidiaceous rich facies, the floodplain of the palynomorphs may represent autochthonous production. Evidences lower delta plain was devoid of plant macroremains. New data about of autochthony are the excellent preservation of delicate ornamenta- the palynomorphs found in these deposits allow us to present results tions, and the presence of clusters of fern spores and angiosperm pollen about the plant community inhabiting the lower delta plain. grains together with amorphous plant debris. In contrast, other paly- Spores are the most abundant palynomorphs including the genera nomorphs are either broken or eroded. These data suggest that nearby Biretisporites, Deltoidospora, Impardecispora, Cicatricosisporites, Verruco- the low-diverse cheirolepidiaceous swamps the vegetation was richer sisporites, Klukisporites, Costatoperforosporites, Concavisporites, Concavis- and more diverse, and was formed by herbaceous plants including early simisporites and the algal cyst Ovoidites. Classopollis and Exesipollenites angiosperms and schizeaceous ferns, which did not leave significant gymnosperm pollen grains are also abundant. Angiosperm pollen grains macroremains.

WOOD DIVERSITY IN TOURNAISIAN EARLY MISSISSIPPIAN ARBORESCENT LIGNOPHYTES: NEW DATA FROM EUROPEAN AND AUSTR ALIAN LOCALITIES

Anne-Laure Decombeix1, Brigitte Meyer-Berthaud1 and Jean Galtier1 1 UMR Botanique et Bioinformatique, CIRAD, Montpellier, France, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Lignophytes is a monophyletic group including the progymno- Tournaisian localities of France, Germany and Australia. The specimens sperms (Devonian-Carboniferous) and the seed plants, the major com- consist of anatomically preserved pieces of wood, and of axes, most of ponent of extant terrestrial ecosystems. The clade is characterised by them decorticated. The European specimens represent both previously the possession of a bifacial cambium that produces secondary xylem known (Protopitys, Eristophyton) and new taxa, one with its secondary inward and secondary phloem outward. This trait provides both physi- phloem preserved (Faironia). Two main types of wood are present. Wood ological and architectural plasticity to these plants. showing rays mostly unicellular in tangential section and tracheids with We focussed our research on taxa from the Mississippian (Early Car- scalariform to multiseriate radial pitting is assigned to the putative pro- boniferous, 360–345 Ma). This is a key period for the evolution of the gymnosperm Protopitys. All other specimens have an araucarian type of lignophytes, with the evidence of the first seed plant radiation and the wood but differ in ray size. The Australian specimens, recently collected extinction of Archaeopteris, the earliest arborescent progymnosperm in north-eastern Queensland, represent at least three different taxa. and a major component of Late Devonian forests. Most previous stud- One possesses tracheids showing round, mostly uniseriate, radial pits ies concentrated on specimens collected in late Tournaisian to Visean with a circular aperture, a feature unusual for this period and previously localities from Europe and North America. Some of these plants possess reported in only one American Callixylon (Archaeopteris) species. a dense wood like Archaeopteris and are presumed to be arborescent. A comparison of the wood anatomy of these Tournaisian ligno- They are represented either by trunks (e.g. Pitus, Megalomyelon, Proto- phytes with that of other Late Devonian-Mississippian taxa demon- pitys) or by smaller axes interpreted as branches. They are anatomically strates their diversity. The systematic and paleoenvironmental implica- diverse, especially in their secondary xylem. tions of this diversity are discussed. In our talk, we document new woody lignophytes from middle

29 ECOLOGICAL GR ADIENTS WITHIN A MIDDLE PENNSYLVANIAN PEAT MIRE FOREST, ILLINOIS, USA

William A. DiMichele1, Howard J. Falcon-Lang2 and W. John Nelson3 1Department of Palaeobiology, NMNH Smithsonian, Washington DC 20560, USA 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom 3Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, IL 61820, USA

Pennsylvanian coals represent the remains of primitive peat-form- was abruptly drowned when fault movement dropped this segment of ing rain forests. The spatial structure and ecology of these forests has coastal mire below sea level. In the largest study of its kind to date, we been elucidated over many decades based on studies of permineralised statistically analyze forest composition within a well-constrained pal- peat (coal balls). Recent documentation of a ~25 hectare fossil forest aeogeographic context. in Alabama, USA has controversially challenged this understanding, Findings resolve apparent conflicts in models of Pennsylvanian proving the heterogeneous interspersal of taxa that earlier coal ball mire ecology by confirming the existence of forest heterogeneity at the studies indicated had widely varying ecological preferences. Here, we local scale, while demonstrating the emergence of ecological gradients report the discovery of a fossil forest preserved over ~1000 hectares on at the landscape-scale. top of the Middle Pennsylvanian Herrin Coal of Illinois, USA. The forest

LEAF ARCHITECTURE IN MODERN AND FOSSIL PLATANACEAE  ARE THERE CHAR ACTER STATES THAT CAN BE USED FOR FAMILY DELIMITATION?

Thomas Denk Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Palaeobotany, Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail: [email protected]

Platanaceae are a small and monotypic family at present that con- tures ascribable to the family, and foliage that differs substantially from sists of about seven species. Leaves are palmate with a typical palinac- modern one has been linked to some of these reproductive structures. tinodromous venation or simple, and overall show a remarkable plastic- Here I show the extent of leaf architectural variability found in ity with respect to primary and secondary venation pattern, leaf margin, modern Platanus. The survey is based on extensive field collections. tooth shape, tooth type, and tooth frequency, among other characters. Comparisons with modern genera in various families that show similar Moreover, some leaf architectural features have evolved in parallel in leaf types are made with the aim to distinguish characters that evolved Platanaceae and a number of unrelated families. This has led to serious in parallel from true diagnostic characters. Possible limitations for the difficulties in delimiting leaves belonging to this family against such placement of leaf remains without epidermal features preserved into ones belonging to various unrelated families in the fossil record. The particular taxa are shown. The importance of identifying patterns of situation is even more complicated since Mesozoic and early Cainozoic morphological variability is highlighted in order to be able to make reli- Platanaceae were more diverse than today based on reproductive struc- able generalisations.

EOCENEOLIGOCENE FLORISTIC TR ANSITIONS IN NORTH AMERICA: CONTR ASTS BETWEEN EASTERN AND WESTERN FLOR AS

Melanie L. DeVore1, Kathleen B. Pigg2 and Richard M. Dillhoff3 1 Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, 135 Herty Hall, Milledgeville, GA 31062-0001, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 2 School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, PO Box 874501, Tempe AZ 85287-4501, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Evolving Earth Foundation, P.O. Box 2090 Issaquah, Washington 98027, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

Floras at the Eocene-Oligocene transition differ in western versus sant contains even more dry/western transitional elements. Proceeding eastern North America in relation to the marked differences in their geo- into the western North American Oligocene, the Bridge Creek flora of logical settings. Western North American floras from the upland Rockies, Oregon continues to contain some mesic elements, but becomes more and the Okanogan Highlands of Washington State and British Columbia, transitional, with additional temperate elements in the Rosaceae, addi- Canada show dramatic transitions into temperate floras. While coastal tional species of Acer, and other forms. The Late Oligocene Creede, Colo- Lower-Middle Eocene floras of the Puget Group of Washington State are rado flora shows a markedly cool-dry chaparral type flora more similar still megathermal, the coeval upland floras of Okanogan Highlands are to modern chaparral floras of the west. beginning to show many temperate elements such as the Betulaceae, In contrast, floras in the Mississippian Embayment are occurring on Rosaceae and Acer. Even within the Okanogan Highlands floras there is tectonically passive margins. Megathermal floras of the Claiborne For- some variation as the Quilchena flora of British Columbia, Canada, has mation of Kentucky and Tennessee, USA are dominated by lauraceaous more subtropic and fewer temperate elements than other Okanogan and other broad evergreen elements and dry subtropical legumes and Highlands floras. Within the Republic, Washington flora we find mem- oak relatives. The transition of this eastern flora into the Oligocene flora bers of the Rosaceae that are both cosmopolitan in distribution (e.g., seen in the Catahoula Formation of east central Texas is considerably Prunus, Rubus), as well as western dry-adapted genera (Vauquelinia and more gradual that that of the western floras, with a loss of lauraceous Cercocarpu) and Central American-northern Andean genera such as elements and some of the megathermal diversity, while legumes and Hesperemeles. Modern western North American conifer assemblages oaks relatives continue to diversify. are also beginning to be established in Republic. The Late Eocene Floris-

30 PALYNOLOGICAL DATA IN RECENT MARINE SEDIMENTS FROM THE RÍA DE VIGO NW SPAIN

José B. Diez1, Soledad Garcia-Gil1, Castor Muñoz-Sobrino2 and Jorge Iglesias1 1 Dept. Xeociencias Mariñas e Ordenación do Territorio, Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Dept. Bioloxia Vexetal e Ciencias do Solo, Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Spain

The Ría de Vigo is the southernmost incised valley of the group years. In a first phase, between ca. 525–1250 AD, the mesophilous re- known as the “Rías Baixas” on the Spanish passive Atlantic margin (NW gional forests still persisted reasonably well-preserved. During ca. Spain). 850–950 AD and ca. 1050–1200 AD minor signals suggest a more intense The Vibrocore ZV-01 is located over the main axes in the inner area humanization of the landscape. This situation is radically modified to- of Ría de Vigo recovering 2.53 m of dark muds with variable percentages wards the year 1250 AD, when the first great deforestation of the basins of bioclasts. It corresponds to the most recent seismic unit, which is in- draining to the Ría de Vigo is recorded. Later, between ca 1350 and 1500 terpreted as a HST developed during the sea level rise that took place AD, a small recuperation of the oak forest and riparian forests occurred. after the Würm Glaciation (aprox.18ky). This recovery of the regional woodlands is only temporal hence the sub- The target of the present work consists in the establishment of sequent ca. 1500–1650 AD interval shows the tree-minima percentages a likely chronology for the recovered sediments and discuses the recent in the whole ZV-01 sequence. At this moment the very acute deforesta- palaeoenvironmental evolution of the ría basin, using its pollen and tion of the basins might have even seriously disturbed the alder forests dynocysts content. and other riparian formations. A final stage of recuperation of the tree The chronology adopted is based on three temporal horizons, all canopy follows that episode of arboreal minimum, mainly as result of them established by pollen criteria. Firstly, Zea mays L. pollen curve be- the beginning of the plantations with Pinus, which become extensive gins at 71cm depth. The introduction of the corn in this region took place after 1720 AD and persisted at least until the end of the XIX century. in the XVII century. Here it is used this age-limit to date the beginning The dynocyst assemblages also suggest that the oceanographic of its pollen curve. Besides, the years 1650 AD and 1720 AD are taken as conditions of the Ría de Vigo might have changed several times. The boundaries for the beginning and maximum development of the Pinus Lingulodinium machaerophorum/Spiniferites spp. ratio is a useful indica- pollen expansion; and the date 784–678 AD is considered as a probable tive of the hydrodynamics conditions in the ría. A lower ratio, concurrent age for the beginning of the pollen curve of Castanea in Galicia. There- with significant increases in Impaginidinium spp. and Bitectatodinium fore, ZV-01 records the environmental changes in the Ría de Vigo from tepikense percentages, are taken as indicative of higher entrance of cold 500–1900 AD period. The pollen profile reveals that the woodlands sur- marine waters (i.e. intensification of the upwelling) during the periods, rounding the Ría de Vigo have been transformed along the last 1500 ca. 700–850 AD and ca. 1500–1750 AD.

MAJOR EVENTS IN ANGIOSPERM EVOLUTION

David L. Dilcher Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

The reproductive biology of angiosperms has roots that extend flowers, flowers that lack petals, various numbers of petals, and the or- back into the Paleozoic. Seed plant reproduction involving wind pollen ganization of the sexual organs. Extant angiosperms and those known dispersal and insect pollen dispersal can be found during the Carbon- from the fossil record suggest that not all angiosperms fit into one flo- iferous and Permian. This co-evolution with insect pollinators shaped ral pattern. We can consider an early floral pattern using Archaefructus the reproductive morphology and encouraged genetic divergence of as an example. This fossil represents an angiosperm with simple male major seed plant clades. Pollen form and function underwent important and female reproductive organs that lack sterile organs. The earliest changes during the Paleozoic. Many of the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic fossil angiosperms are followed very soon by extensive diversity known seed plant lineages developed reproductive syndromes that must have from mesofossils and macrofossils. The angiosperm pollen record docu- been important in establishing a biotic environment that allowed rapid ments a significant minor diversity from Lower Cretaceous floras. But it evolution of angiosperm reproductive form and functional biology. is important to note that pollen characters suggest insect pollination Major events include the importance of the pollination droplet, inde- probably preceded wind dispersal for most lineages. Lower Cretaceous pendent clustering of pollen producing and ovule producing organs, angiosperm diversity is greater at mid-latitudes. When we establish the uniting of the male and female reproductive organs into a common a fossil record that tracks the reproductive morphology of ancestral unit, the closing of the carpel, the elaboration of subtending sterile angiosperms we can then assess early character evolution in time for floral structures and the clustering of all the floral organs together to the earliest historical record of flowers. By this means we can document form a flower. It is probable that not all angiosperm lineages took part floral evolution and assess the presence of extinct and extant lineages in all of these modifications so that various lineages may have unisexual in time.

A R ARE MICROFLOR A FROM THE ZELENIGR AD FORMATION CARBONIFEROUS/ PERMIAN BOUNDARY OF NORTHERN BULGARIA

Tania Dimitrova1 and Jean Broutin2 1 Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str 24, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria 2 UPMC, UMR 5143 – PSEE, Paléobotanique et Paléoécologie, 12 rue Cuvier, 7505, Paris, France

New palynological data enable palynostratigraphic correlation /Permian coal sequence in Zelenigrad in northern Bulgaria was carried to be made in Early Permian rocks of Northwest Bulagaria. The strati- out. We would place the Stephanian/Permian boundary above this graphical evaluation of palynological assemblages from Carboniferous shale near the position of the Upper Coal Member of the Belogradchik

31 Formation. Lithostratigraphically and also sedimentologically (Nikolov, shows a predominance of Potonieisporites and first appearance of stri- 1964) the investigated section can be correlated with the Late Carbon- ated bisaccate pollen grains. Eleven samples from a part of the Zeleni- iferous/Permian. This age determination is supported by investigations grad section, near Belogradchik were palynologically investigated. Only on macroflora (Walchia piniformis Schloth, Callipteris sp., Lebachia parvi- five samples out of the upper part of this member contain a diverse and folia Florin) from the underlying Zelenigrad (Tencov, 1973; Tenchov, well preserved microflora. The most striking microflora taxa belong to Cherniavska, 1965). Correlation with the Autunian “Stage”as palynologi- the Monosaccate group like Potonieisporites novicus Bhard., P. cf. grandis, cally defined in France (Broutin, 1974, Broutin et al., 1999, Doubinger, P. compositus Schwartsman, Florinites sp. and of the bisaccate group like 1974, Doubinger et al. 1995) is instead possible by the great affiliation of Gardenasporites, Illinites and Vesicaspora, representatives of the genera the taxa associations, if not by the quantitative sporomorph composi- Lycospora and Thymospora spp. being also common. tions, making possible the correlations at Series level. The association

USING NURSE BEES TO RECORD THE POLLEN FLOR A OF AN AREA

Maria Dimou1, Andreas Thrasyvoulou1 and Michael D. Ifantidis1 1 Laboratory of Apiculture and Sericulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, e-mail: [email protected]

Pollen traps have been widely used as a method to record the pol- were collected and we compared the results. The analysis revealed sev- len preferences of bees and the pollen flora of an area. Pollen is very enteen common pollen types. Two additional pollen types were located important for the bees’ nutrition and it is necessary for their survival only in the traps but they were of minor importance. However, statisti- and reproduction. Nurse bees consume more pollen relative to bees of cal analysis showed significant differences in the majority of the pollen other ages. We studied the possibility of recording the pollen flora of an types with respect to their quantitative contribution in the samples. We area by examining the pollen content of the rectum of honeybees (Apis concluded that pollen analysis of the nurse bees’ rectum could be used mellifera L.). Specifically, seven-days-old nurse bees were collected and as a fast screening method of the pollen flora of an area, however, for their rectum was distracted and examined microscopically. At the same quantitative results, additional methods should be applied. time, we examined the trapped pollen from the hives where the bees

A STUDY ON THE GEOGR APHICAL ORIGIN OF ROYAL JELLY

Maria Dimou1, Andreas Thrasyvoulou1 and Georgios Goras1 1 Laboratory of Apiculture and Sericulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, e-mail: [email protected]

Royal jelly is secreted by the hypopharyngeal glands of nurse bees colonies of honeybees in an apiary located in the same area was carried under partial digestion of pollen and honey, and it is necessary for the out during September 2005. The melissopalynological analysis revealed diet of queens and young larvae. We studied the possibility of determ- 31 pollen types in the pollen traps and 19 in the royal jelly samples. All ing the geographical origin of royal jelly through melissopalynological pollen types located in royal jelly were also recorded in the traps, while analysis. In order to record the pollen flora of an area we used four pol- the twelve additional pollen types of the traps were of minor impor- len traps adjusted in the entrance of four hives of honeybees (Apis mel- tance. Based on our findings we conjecture that pollen analysis of royal lifera L.) during September 2003 and 2004. At the same period bloomed jelly reflects sufficiently the pollen flora of an area, and thus it is possible plants of the area were collected and pollen reference slides were pre- to determine its geographical origin. pared. Then, pollen analysis of 21 samples of royal jelly obtained by six

SARMATIAN FLOR A OF BOZDAREVAC VICINITY OF BELGR ADE, SERBIA  MACROFLORISTIC AND PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY

Desa Djordjevic-Milutinovic1 and Ivan Dulic2 1 Natural History Museum, Njegoseva 51, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, e-mail: [email protected] 2 NIS Naftagas, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia and Montenegro, e-mail: [email protected]

Paleovegetational reconstruction of the flora at Bozdarevac was Myrica, Daphnogene, Leguminosae etc. as well as representatives of performed through use of macrofloristic and palynological studies. azonal riverbank vegetation of Alnus, Populus, Salix etc. (gallery forests). Both approaches indicate fine preservation of fossil material, as well as It is assumed that during Sarmatian the studied area used to be a part of presence of warm and humid mediterranean climate type. The macro- the great Avala Island, which was situated at the southern slopes of the flora is represented by leaf imprints in sandy-clayey sediments. Due to Pannonian Sea (today, Avala is a mountain in vicinity of Belgrade, with slow sedimentation, the imprints are well preserved with pronounced maximum altitude of 511 m). Plants remains were collected at several lo- leaf venation of third and sometimes even fourth degree. Most imprints calities in Bozdarevac. Data from two localities were published in 1950s, are coated by manganese oxide or limonite, additionally enabling easy while the others were not published so far. For the first time the flora observation of veins. The cuticle was not preserved. The association is is also studied from the palynological aspects, greatly contributing to dominated by Mediterranean floristic elements with Carpinus, Quercus, a more precise paleovegetation reconstruction.

32 USING OF THE FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY ON THE STUDY OF THE REDEPOSITED PALYNOMORPHS

Nela Doláková1, A. Burešová1 and Petr Pokorný2 1 Insitute of Geological Sciences, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Archaeology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Letenská 4, 118 01 Praha 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The occurrence of the reworked palynomorphs is typical for some a high importance. The particular re-depositions portions of frequent types of sediments. A typical example is represented by the cave sedi- species are equally important since high percentages of re-deposited ments lacking the plant remains in their original positions. grains could change the vegetation reconstructions. In the Moravian karstic areas the mixing of the components differ- The observations in the fluorescent microscope represent an inter- ent in ages – especially Quaternary and re-deposited Tertiary ones – is esting possibility for the detection of re-deposited palynomorphs. P.van common. Observed in the light microscope, their states of preservation Gijzel focused his attention to these methods. He found out that the sys- can be very similar. Therefore it is often very difficult to distinguish the tematics and age of palynomorphs could be determined using the UV ages of individual palynomorphs known both from Quaternary and light. Similarly weathering, re-depositions connected with oxidation of Tertiary (e.g., Pinus, Ulmus, Alnus, Quercus, Corylus, Betula) which con- rocks and activities of bacteria and fungi change the intensity and colors sequently causes complications in the ages determination and climatic of the studied pollen and spores. reconstructions. Verifiably re-deposited palynomorphs from the Moravian karstic Very similar problems arise in the Miocene marine sediments from sediments have typical dark brown colours with very low intensities of the Carpathian Foredeep with their not unusual occurrences of the re- fluorescence. Therefore it is possible to assume the grains with the simi- deposited Cretaceous and older palynomorphs. The re-depositions of lar colours to be also re-deposited. Other interesting observations are foraminifers and calcareous nannoplankton from the older Miocene connected with the different colours of the algal bodies enabling to de- stages into the younger ones are commonly known from this area. Thus, tect even small parts of the algae. Analogous observations were made in the occurrence of re-deposited palynomorphs caused by the same the Neogene marine sediments from the Carpathian Foredeep as well. processes is probable. Therefore the decision whether some rare pol- This study was supported by Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, len and spores typical for the climatic zonations are in situ or not is of Grant 205/04/1021.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE OPEN LAND AREAS DURING THE MIOCENE IN THE CZECH AND SLOVAK PARTS OF THE CENTR AL PAR ATETHYS

Nela Doláková1, Marianna Kováčová2, Kristina Beláčková2 and Jana Lázničková1 1 Insitute of Geological Sciences, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Comenius University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geology nad Paleontology, Mlynska dolina, SK-842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia, e-mail: [email protected]

Our results come from the adjacent areas of the Central Paratethys with evidence of sporadically present thermophilous and evergreen – Moravian part of the Carpathian Foredeep, Vienna and Danube Ba- taxa have dominated in the plant assemblages. Variously high moutain sins. The vegetation of the open land area (with high portion of NAP) relief of the uplifted mountain chains created ideal conditions for the was found out in the south part of the Carpathian Foredeep during Egg- mixed mesophytic forests and extrazonal vegetation (Cedrus, Tsuga, enburgian. From this time span a complicated shoreline contours with Picea). Swamp vegetation, which grew strait on the swamp substrates highly differentiated relief configuration was documented. The high is characterized mainly by Taxodiaceae trees. They are often present pollen amounts of the herbaceous plants (Chenopodiaceae up to 38 %, in the association with Myricaceae and subordinary Nyssaceae. The ri- Poaceae to the 10 %, Cyperaceae, Oenotheraceae, Asteraceae, Caryo- parian forest elements subdominantly occurred with Alnus and Ulmus. phyllaceae) together with vegetation of insolation places (Oleaceae – Higher percentual portion of non-arboreal pollen (10–14 %) indicates up to 24 %, Ericaceae up to 5 %, cf. Tamarix, Ephedra and Buxaceae,) rep- local marshes and vegetation of partly open woodland. An increase of resenting the salt marshes were repeatedly recorded in pollen spectra. halophyte and water plant taxa documents presence of coastal swamps, A unique oryctocoenosis of the shrubby-trees heliophilous vegetation local lagoons and marshlands during the lowstand of the brackish see in with most evergreen fine dentate or spiny leafs (sclerophyllous) similar the Slovak part of the Vienna Basin. to Mediterranean macchias were described (E.Knobloch) from southern In the Moravian part, the first Valeriana, Rumex, Campanula, La- part of the Carpathian Foredeep. biatae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae pollen have been determined in Upper Mi- The increasing amounts of the herbaceaous plants (Artemisia, ocene sediments. Daucaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Plantago) has been found out in the pol- During the Late Pannonian the lowlands were covered often by hy- lenspectra from the Late Miocene sediments of the Vienna basin (Pan- drophilous plants: Myrica, Salix, Ulmus, Alnus and herbs represented by nonian E-F). The forest vegetation of the warm temperate climate zone Chenopodiaceae, Asteraceae, Ericaceae, Poaceae and Artemisia.

CONIFEROUS WOOD FROM THE SECOND LUSATIAN SEAM BR ANDENBURG/ SAXONY AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Martina Dolezych Schlossstrasse 1c, 02977, Hoyerswerda, Germany

Systematic collection and anatomical analysis of wood samples high taxonomic diversity. This diverse taxonomic composition of the from Miocene brown coal deposits in Lusatia (Lausitz; southern part identified wood flora clearly invalidates the classic concept postulating of Brandenburg and the eastern part of Saxony) revealed a relatively the paucity of woody plant species in the Lusatian peat-forming veg-

33 etations (e.g. Gothan 1906b, Kräusel 1920a). The Lusatian fossil-wood Seam, a widely extending paralic coal-bearing succession in the southern flora appears to be characterized by the dominance of conifer wood part of the North German/Polish Basin. The overall vegetation charac- types, mostly representing members of the Cupressaceae sensu lato terizing the three individual coal banks of the Second Seam may be de- (Cupressaceae sensu stricto + Taxodiaceae), as well as Sciadopityaceae scribed as a Sciadopitys-type. This final successional stage is an extremely and Pinaceae. Accurate comparisons with wood of living conifer taxa nutrient-poor raised-bog dominated by Sciadopitys. In the isolated limnic confirm that Miocene representatives of the genera Glyptostrobus, Se- Berzdorf Basin of southern Lusatia, this final stage was not reached; there- quoia, Cryptomeria, Sciadopitys and Pinus were prominent elements of fore the Berzdorf vegetation may be characterized as the Glyptostrobus/ the Lusatian peat land vegetation. Moreover, Cunninghamia, Taiwania, Sequoia-type, as this vegetation type is the climax of the succession. Xanthocyparis and, particularly Cathaya have also contributed to peat Examination of the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of Lu- formation. By contrast, wood-anatomical analysis contradicts the tradi- satian wood morphospecies indicates that successional records of auto- tional concept of a dominance of Taxodium in the Lusatian brown coal. chthonous wood can be linked to successional coal-facies types, earlier Wood identified as Juniperoxylon pachyderma and Quasisequoioxylon defined on the basis of coal-petrographic analysis and successive cuticle piskowitzense is likely to represent the extinct cupressaceous genera associations. Wood-anatomical data provide the possibility of refining Cupressospermum and Quasisequoia, respectively. Allochthonous wood, the facies typification. The early successional K-facies can be subdivided identified as Cupressinoxylon boureaui, can be related to Tetraclinis and in the Kg (K-Glyptostrobus) and the Ks (K-Sequoia) facies; the late succes- probably originates from bottomland forest. sional M-facies into the Mcy (M-Cryptomeria), Msc (M-Sciadopitys) and Most of the investigated wood originates from the Second Lusatian Mjc (M-Juniperoxylon/Cupressinoxylon).

THE ECODYNAMIC MODEL OF FORMATING ANGAR A PALYNOFLOR A DURING THE LATE PALEOZOIC STAGE OF SEDIMENTOGENESIS

Nina B. Donova The Federal State Unitare Geologiacal Enterprise “Krasnoyarskgeolsyomka”, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

It is historically determined that the Angara palynoflora has been Events that happened at the boundary of Early and Middle Car- studied at the periphery of the Angaraland in the sections of the boniferous reflect a reconstructive character between two high – rank Kuznetsk Basin. There is a tradition to compare palynocomplexes of the paleoecosystems of volcano-detritic Lower Carboniferous (its final pe- adjoining regions of the Angara paleophytogeographic area with paly- riod) and the first period of coal-bearing Carboniferous (humidity of nostratigraphy of the Kuznetsk Basin. This ideal variant of correlation of climate, destabilization of landscape environment, changing of litho- continental deposits with standard sections justified itself on the early genesis, changing of floras). Location of new flat landscapes that gave studying stages of such a huge territory as Angaraland. It reflected bios- a new basis for its developing by migrants did not happen concurrently. tratigraphical stage of its stratigraphical development. Firstly these settings located in the south of the Minusinsk paleobasin During forming basins of a new type at the boundary of Early and – palynozone (PZ) Densosporites acerosus – Florinites grandis; then set- Middle Carboniferous there existed different landscape – sedimenta- tings spread into the borders of its northern sub-region – PZ Capilatis- tion environment: in the Kuznetsk Basin – coastal with saltish soils and poriteslunatus – Cyclogranisporites lorvatus; then trend facies and the a big quantity of lepidophyte spores consisting of palynocomplexes in composition of palynocomplexes indicate in to the side of retrogressive the lower part of the coal-bearing section (Yevseyevsk and Kayezovsk Kuznetsk Sea and smoothing of settings with the Kuznetsk paleobasin series); in the Minusinsk Basin – an alluvia plain (lepidophyte flora and – PZ Valatisporites radiatus – Florinites katskaiensis, a wide implantation spores are relics because of desalination of soils). Moving from Minusinsk of gymnospermous plants. Smoothing of settings with the Tunguska trough up to the Siberian platform we can see heterogeneous composi- paleobasin (and in general Angara paleophytogeographical area) is tion of palynocomplexes already in the North – Minusinsk region and characterized by taxonomic composition PZ Turrisporites rigidispinosus farther in the Tunguska Basin. Here the character of re-worked spores – Cordaitina stiptica. This “moment“ in the development history of conti- and pollen as well as existence of stratigraphical breaks in sediment ac- nental deposits of the Carboniferous of Angaraland is a paleoecosystem cumulation obtains a substantial scale. reference point.

INTEGR ATING EARLY CRETACEOUS POLLEN AND FLOWERS INTO THE PHYLOGENY OF RECENT ANGIOSPERMS

James A. Doyle1 and Peter K. Endress2 1 Section of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich 8008, Switzerland, e-mail: [email protected]

Many Early Cretaceous angiosperm pollen types and flowers have was equally parsimonious in an analysis with more limited outgroup been compared with living taxa, but few of these comparisons have sampling), which strengthens the view that a palisade exostesta is an- been tested with phylogenetic methods. We have used an expanded cestral in angiosperms. Asteropollis and associated flowers are linked morphological data set for extant basal angiosperms (including basal with the chloranthaceous genus Hedyosmum. Appomattoxia (with Tu- eudicots and monocots) to investigate the relative parsimony of dif- canopollis or Transitoripollis pollen, which differs from pollen of extant ferent placements of early angiosperm fossils on a tree of Recent taxa Chloranthaceae in having a continuous tectum) may be located below based on morphological and molecular data. We have not evaluated the or nested in Chloranthaceae, but it is only slightly less parsimonious to potential impact of fossils on tree topology, but we have investigated place it in Piperales. Virginianthus may be the sister group of either Caly- their implications for character evolution. The most parsimonious place- canthaceae and Idiospermum or the remaining Laurales, although a po- ment of Couperites (with “Clavatipollenites” pollen) is as a stem relative of sition in Magnoliales is almost equally parsimonious; this result implies extant Chloranthaceae, rather than in the crown group (a position that that reticulate rather than psilate monosulcate pollen is ancestral for

34 Laurales and eumagnoliids as a whole. Anacostia may be nested in Aus- of their small number of characters, but available characters support the trobaileyales, and Archaeanthus is strongly linked with Magnoliaceae. association of Walkeripollis tetrads with Winteraceae and of Liliacidites However, positions of other fossils, such as a putatively nymphaeaceous (in the strict sense of boat-shaped monosulcate pollen with sculpture flower from Portugal, are more uncertain because of conflicting charac- becoming finer toward the ends of the grain) with monocots. ters. Inferred affinities of dispersed pollen types are less robust because

STERNBERGITES GEN. NOV., A NEW SUBARBORESCENT ISOSPOROUS COMPRESSION LYCOPSID FROM THE PENNSYLVANIAN OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Jana Drábková1, Milan Libertín2, Jiří Bek3 and Stanislav Opluštil4 1 Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 National Museum, Václavské náměstí 64, 11821 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Palaeoecology, Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 135, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12843 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

A new sub-arborescent lycopsid genus Sternbergites gen. nov. is cus and the origin of the rim were recognized for the first time. proposed for compression specimens yielding isospores of the Spen- Sternbergites havlenae is interpreted as a primitive isosporous sub- cerisporites-type, i.e. probable compression counterparts to petrified arborescent lycopsid which was dichotomously branching (at least (coal-balls) specimens of Spencerites. Sub-arborescent lycopsid genus three times) and about 1.5–3.5 m in height. Its sporophylls consist of Spencerites belongs to very rarely reported Carboniferous plant petri- a peltate pedicel with one broadly sporangium on its adaxial surface. fied fossils. Spencerites was known only from small fragments from Isospores isolated from Sternbergites havlenae can be named as Spen- coal-balls (Chaloner 1951,Leisman 1962a,b, Leisman and Stidd 1967) for cerisporites radiatus. several years. Recently, Drábková, Bek and Opluštil (2004) and Libertín, Sternbergites leismanii was probably smaller, min. three times Drábková, Bek (in press) described numerous (more than 60 specimens) branched, too and less than 0.5 m high. Its oval to fusiform sporangia Spencerisporites-producing compression plant fossils from volcanic ash are arranged solitary on each sporophyll, attached by a narrow base to beds either intercalated or directly overlying coal seams of the Radnice the distal part of the peltate pedicel of the sporophyll. Isospores iso- Group in Kladno-Rakovník, the Radnice basins and the Tlustice relic. lated from Sternbergites leismanii can be classified as Spencerisporites cf. Compression specimens represent vegetative trunks, branches and striatus. fertile zones including sporangia and in situ isospores and are the first Peltate pedicels of Sternbergites chaloneri possess one circular spo- compression Spencerisporites-producing plants. rangium attached through part on their adaxial surfaces. Its isospores Three species of Sternbergites were described from the Carbonifer- are referable to the dispersed spore species Spencerisporites striatus. ous of the Czech Republic: Sternbergites havlenae, Sternbergites chaloneri The reconstruction of Sternbergites havlenae and S. leismanii is sug- and Sternbergites leismani. gested. The species mentioned above differ in terms of the shape of sporan- S. havlenae belongs to the rare peat-forming elements of the flora gium, spore morphology and in the sporangium attachment. that prefered a peat substrate of eutrophic mires where they grow ei- Pseudosaccate trilete isospores isolated from Sternbergites species ther singly or in small groups. Sternbergites leismanii was found in the vary in terms of different striate sculptures of proximal and distal surfac- plant assemblages of the “Bělka“ tuff possess as probably with pioneer es of the central bodies. Pseudosaccus is reticulate with a narrow rim on character together with other five herbaceous species, colonised the the margin. The two-layered character of central body and pseudosac- bottom of exsiccated lake.

A MIDDLE MIOCENE POLLEN ASSEMBLAGE FROM CENTR AL POLAND AS ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATIC INDICATOR.

Ewa Durska Faculty of Geology, Warsaw University, Warsaw 02-089, Al. Zwirki i Wigury 93, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

An interesting brown coal seam from Lubstow, Central Poland, was The presence of the dome-like structures and the lack of succession examined. The seam is untypical: it does not have clastic intercalations, in pollen data showing the process of the straggling of the peat bog, the lignite is very homogeneous, it does not contain fossilized wood or suggest the presence of floating islands with shrub plants being main any recognizable plant remains. Dome-like structures are present in the peat producers. upper part of the seam. The reconstruction of the climate was made by two methods, CA There is no major difference among pollen data within the entire (Coexistence Approach) and P/A (palaeotropical/arctotertiary taxa profile. Spectra are dominated by Gymnosperm pollen (Pinus, Taxodium rate). The obtained results are different. CA method shows that the cli- + Glyptostrobus group, Sequoia group, Sciadopitys, Cathaya) coming prob- mate was probably subtropical (MAT – 16–19 °C, CMT – 6–10 °C, WMT ably mostly from long transport. Among Angiosperm pollen grains of – 24–27 °C, MAP – 1000–1250 mm). P/A curve shows the dominance of Fagaceae, Castanea + Castanopsis + Litocarpus group, Clethraceae + Cyril- arctotertiary element, and therefore suggests rather a warm-temperate laceae group, as well as Engelhardtia and Platanus, are the most frequent. climate. Pollen grains of typical peat-forming plants are almost absent in the coal.

35 EARLY LAND VEGETATION: CHALLENGES FOR PLANTS AND PEOPLE

Diane Edwards1 and Christopher Berry1 1 Department of Earth Science, Cardiff University, PO Box 914, Cardiff CF 103YE, Wales, United Kingdom, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

The colonisation of the land was a major challenge for plants in some very problematic fossils, their habitats, distribution and physiol- terms of water stress management, and has in the Silurian and early ogy and reproductive biology. The second author will concentrate on Devonian resulted in the evolution of many anatomical and biochemical the challenges for plants, particularly in terms of evolving more com- novelties. The first author will concentrate on the challenges for people, plex and efficient organs, and attaining greater size through the Middle in interpreting and dating fossil record, in elucidating the affinities of and Late Devonian.

FLOR AL STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION  WHAT CAN PALAEOBOTANISTS AND NEOBOTANISTS LEARN FROM EACH OTHER?

Peter K. Endress Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland, e-mail: [email protected]

Neobotanists are able to study whole living plants and their devel- be considered: (1) basal intercalary growth, which seemingly “lifts” the opment but are restricted to the present time, in contrast palaeobota- placenta to the ovary top, and (2) decay of tissue of the inner ovary wall, nists are not restricted in time but mostly have only fragments of plants which isolates the seed-serving vascular bundle from the tissue of the and single developmental stages at their disposal. Both can mutually decaying septum and thus may give the false impression of a basal pla- profit from complementary experience. The shape of floral fragments centa and unilocular ovary. Also in Fagales, sepal size reduction and loss may allow inferences on the floral or inflorescence architecture. For of protective function may result in increase and lability in number and instance, cuneate anthers with a massive sterile apex indicate contigu- irregular formation of narrow organs. Thus it may be difficult to estab- ity in bud and a protective function of the apex, either in dense inflo- lish a basic merism of the perianth in such flowers. Conversely, for evo- rescences of many flowers with reduced perianth (e.g., Platanaceae, lutionary interpretations of extant flowers consideration of fossil struc- Altingiaceae, Typhaceae) or single flowers in which the many stamens tures is likewise important. Most early fossil flowers are much smaller are exposed in late bud (e.g. Annonaceae). Sepal flanks exposed in bud than extant flowers of related clades. Elaborations of extant flowers may may differ from those that are covered in the same bud in being thicker be expressed even more in early fossils, such as the staminal append- and hairy. Proportions of the gynoecium can greatly change during de- ages in calycanthaceous flowers. velopment; e.g., in some Fagales, two developmental processes must

A NEW RECORD OF FOSSIL CYCADS FROM THE TURKISH MIOCENE

Boglarka Erdei1, Funda Akgün2 and Maria Rosaria Barone3 1 Hungarian Natural History Museum, Botanical Department, Budapest H-1476, POB222, Hungary 2 Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir-Bornova, Turkey 3 The Botanical Garden of the University of Naples, Via Foria 223, 80139 Naples, Italy

Fossil leaves of cycads have not been described so far from Tertiary stomatal apparatus) do not allow identification to any of these modern deposits of Turkey. This fossil record corroborates a more widespread genera. and diversified occurrence of cycads even in Europe and the Middle East A close relationship is suggested by the macromorphologically lacking now the living remnants of these ancient and primitive seed preserved “Encephalartos” gorceixianus Saporta described from the Mi- bearing plants. ocene flora of Kimi (Greece). Some fragmentary, simply pinnate leaves came to light from a Mi- The associated macroflora of Soma comprises various Quercus spe- ocene fossil plant locality in Soma, W Turkey. Based on the macro-, and cies, ?Fagus, Daphnogene, Laurophyllum species, Pinus, Cupressaceae, micromorphology of the leaf fossils they are comparable with modern Taxodiaceae, Mahonia, Myrica, Comptonia, ?Berberis, Zizyphus, Zelkova, species of Encephalartos and Dioon, however, some disparate charac- Acer ?, Leguminosae. ters (e.g., morphology of leaflets close to leaflet insertion, structure of

DISTINGUISHING THE CHEIROLEPIDIACEAE FROM EXTANT CONIFER FAMILIES USING LEAF CUTICLE CHAR ACTERS

Timothy A. M. Ewin Geology Department, Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1RL, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

A technique of differentiating modern conifer families and the Chei- extant Coniferales. These 96 species coincided with those selected in rolepidiaceae based on leaf and cuticle morphology is described. The recently published molecular and genetic phylogenies. From scanning leaves of 96 conifer species were selected as a representative sample of electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the leaf cuticles of 58 poorly

36 known extant conifer species and using published descriptions of 38 The leaf cuticles of 44 species confidently assigned to the Cheirole- other extant conifer species 69 leaf and cuticle characters were iden- pidiaceae based on association and organic attachment to reproductive tified. These characters were scored in a manner similar to numerical organs are reviewed. Cuticle characteristics common to all Cheirolepid- analyses and then plotted onto a detailed conifer phylogeny using the iaceae and those unique to this family are identified and discussed. computer program MacClade 3.04. The conifer phylogeny was compiled The leaf and cuticle characteristics of the Cheirolepidiaceae are by the amalgamation of 8 published molecular and genetic phylogenies compared with and differentiated from modern conifer families with (a super tree). This provided a visual representation of the distribution particular focus on similarities with the Araucariaceae and the Cupres- of cuticle characteristics across the order Coniferales. From this it was saceae (including the Taxodiaceae). This technique demonstrates that demonstrated that, although individual cuticle characters were often combinations of cuticle characters can be used to differentiate modern synapomorphic (shared by distantly related taxa), combinations of char- conifer families and the Cheirolepidiaceae and that the Cheirolepidiace- acteristics can be used to differentiate each extant conifer family. ae leaf cuticles most closely resemble those of the Araucariaceae.

ANALYSIS OF CHARRED ANGIOSPERM WOODS FROM THE CENOMANIAN OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Howard J. Falcon-Lang and Daniel Oakley Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom

Angiosperms are the dominant vegetation type in present-day ter- remains have been systematically described. A systematic study of the restrial ecosystems, comprising over 90 % of global plant diversity and abundant and diverse angiosperm assemblages was undertaken. The containing more than 250 000 extant species. Angiosperms evolved remains include charred woods, twigs, leaves, and reproductive organs, near the start of the Cretaceous, but had their first major diversifica- and occur as parautochthonous assemblages within braided alluvial tion across the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary. During this interval facies. angiosperms obtained between 50 and 80 % of their present diversity, Charred angiosperm wood from several localities (Pecinov, Hlou- and developed woody stems of greater stature. This marked a gradual betin, Hrousany, Brnik) near Prague, have been collected and studied. transition from forest ecosystems dominated by ferns, conifers, and cy- Wood anatomical data, combined with information from co-occurring cads to those of a more modern aspect. angiosperm fossils will allow family-level assignment of most wood This period of angiosperm diversification is investigated using char- morphotaxa. With a range of organs being present partial, or even coal from the middle Cenomanian to early Turonian fluvial-estuarine whole-plant reconstruction may be possible. The study will provide im- sediments of the Czech Republic. These charcoal assemblages contain portant information regarding the early diversification and ecology of angiosperm, conifer, ginkgo, fern, and lycopod remains, preserved in woody angiosperms. superb three-dimensional detail. To date, however, only ginkgolean

CONIFEROUS TREES ASSOCIATED WITH INTERDUNE DEPOSITS IN THE JUR ASSIC NAVAJO SANDSTONE FORMATION, UTAH, USA

Howard J. Falcon-Lang1 and Judith Totman Parrish2 1 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom 2 Department of Geological Sciences, University of Idaho, PO Box 443022, Moscow, ID 838444-3022, USA

The Lower Jurassic Navajo Sandstone Formation of southwest USA trees were killed as the water table continued to rise forming shallow represents one of the largest erg deposits ever to develop on Earth. lakes containing ostracodes. Where present as allochthonous assem- Here, we report the widespread occurrence of silicified conifer stumps blages, randomly orientated tree trunks are associated with massive and trunks within interdune deposits near Moab, southeast Utah. Where sandstone beds interpreted as fluidized mass flow deposits. These may present as (par)autochthonous assemblages, trees are associated with have formed when dune slip-faces collapsed during occasional heavy the deposits of spring-fed carbonate lakes. A few stumps preserved in downpours of rains, destroying stands of trees. The occurrence of large growth position are rooted in eolian sandstone immediately below the conifers over a wide area of the Navajo Sandstone Formation in south- lake deposits, and evidently established on interdune soils in response east Utah may record long-lived pluvial episodes during which the dune to rising water table. Following at least several decades of growth, field stabilized, or reflect the erg-margin position of the localities.

HOLOCENE CLIMATE VARIABILITY IN NW ROMANIA: A POLLEN BASED QUANTITATIVE RECONSTRUCTION

Angelica Feurdean1, Stefan Klotz2 and Volker Mosbrugger1 1 Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt, 60325, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute for Geosciences, Tuebingen, 72076, Germany, e-mail: stefan.klotz@uni-tuebingen

This study represents the very first attempt to obtain absolute val- northwestern Romania. The paleoclimate reconstruction is based on ues of climatic parameters during the Holocene using high-resolution a modern analogues vegetation technique, and the climatic output in- pollen data from two former crater lakes from the Gutaiului Mountains, cludes several parameters such as: mean annual temperature, tempera-

37 ture of the warmest and coldest month, respectively, and mean annual the coldest of ~7–9 °C and mean annual temperatures between –1 °C precipitations. and +2 °C and a precipitation of ~1,000 mm; (c) a cooler and relatively Generally, the results indicate a strong increase in temperature of moister interval between 8 300–4 000 cal yr BP with a decrease of ~1.5 °C the coldest month (~10 °C), of the mean annual temperature (~5 °C) in temperature of the coldest month and ~1 °C in mean annual tempera- and of precipitation (~200 mm), respectively during the Younger Dr- ture; (d) warm temperatures for the last 3 000 years with values ranging yas/Holocene transition. The pollen-based climate reconstruction between 0.5–1 °C for mean annual temperature and 8–9 °C for coldest further allows to distinguish four different climatic periods during the month temperature, respectively. Holocene, i.e.: a) an early, less stable period between 11 700–10 400 cal Our pollen-inferred reconstruction also shows several short-term yr BP with annual temperatures fluctuating between –13 and +1 °C and climate oscillations during the Holocene that can be linked with high- coldest month temperature between 3 and 7 °C; (b) the warmest period resolution records from Greenland, around North Atlantic and else- seen in the record between 8 300–9 500 cal yr BP with temperatures of where in Europe.

PALAEOECOLOGICAL EVIDENCE ON THE VEGETATION HISTORY AND HUMAN OCCUPATION IN THE COASTAL AREA OF LAKE SHABLAEZERETZ NORTHEASTERN BULGARIA

Mariana Filipova-Marinova Museum of Natural History, 41 Maria Louisa Blvd., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria, e-mail: [email protected]

Two sediment cores from the northernmost Bulgarian Black Sea tivities as signaled by the significant values of cultivated species such coastal lake Shabla-Ezeretz were investigated by means of various bi- as Cerealia-type, Triticum, and Hordeum and other anthropogenic taxa: ostratigraphic proxies (pollen, mollusks, diatoms, radiocarbon dating). Plantago lanceolata, Polygonum aviculare, Centaurea cyanus and Urtica. The results are correlated with available archaeological data and en- These data testified to well developed agriculture and stock-breeding in riched the information about the vegetation, climate, landscape, and the area during the Late Neolithic ca. 6800 ± 110 BP/5630 cal. BC, Eneo- hydrological changes, as well as about human economy and occupation lithic ca. 6200–5990 ± 100 BP/5070–4850 cal. BC, and after a Transitional within the coastal area of Southern Dobrudzha (NE Bulgaria) since 11000 period during the Bronze Age ca. 5000–3070 ± 100/3720–1400 cal. BC. ± 500 BP onwards. The molluscan assemblages suggested the liman origin of the lake According to the radiocarbon dates the accumulation of sediments connected with the rise of the Black Sea level during the end of the Old rich in pollen started at about 6800 ± 110 BP/5630 cal. BC. Pollen analyti- Black Sea Transgression and revealed two stages of liman sedimenta- cal data give evidence that before that time primary steppe vegetation tion as well as the stages of interaction with the sea ca. 5400 BP and dominated by heliophyllous herb taxa such as Artemisia, Chenopodiace- 4400 BP. The initial stage of the lake formation ranges between 6800 ae, and Poaceae with scattered stands of deciduous trees: Quercus, Co- ± 110 BP/5630 cal. BC and 3700 ± 105 BP/2040 cal. BC. Layers of gyttja, rylus, Carpinus betulus, and Ulmus had dominated the landscape around peat and molluscan detritus of brackish water molluscan species such the lake. During the time span 5900 ± 100 BP/4850 cal. BC – 5650 ± 100 as Dreissena polymorpha and Theodoxus pallasi were formed. The sig- BP/4470 cal. BC a transition of steppe into forest-steppe communities nificant values of pollen of Typha/Sparganium and the lack of diatoms dominated by Quercus with more thermophyllous taxa such as Tilia, suggested a water-level lowering. At ca. 5400 BP and 4400 BP an in- Fagus, and Fraxinus excelsior occurred and suggested favorable climate crease of euryhalinous molluscan species and pollen of aquatic species conditions during the Late Atlantic. Mixed oak forests occurred only in Myriophyllum spicatum and M. verticillatum as well as benthic species of favorable habitats with moisture conditions as well as on the Dobrudzha diatoms Paralia arenaria and Amphora ovalis confirmed the increase of Plateau and Ludogorie Region situated westward from the area investi- water level and the interaction with the sea. During the time span 3600 gated. The subsequent change of natural vegetation and formation of BP and 2440 ± 95 BP/510 cal. BC a disconnection from the sea and forma- secondary xerothermic herb communities was influenced not only by tion a thick peat layer followed. Presumably the water level was lowered climate change at the beginning of the Subboreal, but by the increased during the Fanagorian Regression occurring at about the same time. human impact as well. The evolution of the liman continued after that event and the second Palynological record revealed three distinct stages of human ac- stage of liman sedimentation similar to the initial stage started.

ENLIGHTENING THE BIOLOGY OF SPIREMATOSPERMUM

Thilo C. Fischer1, Rainer Butzmann2, Barbara Meller3 and Dirk Hoelscher4 1 Institute for Ornamental Plants and Horticultural Plant Breeding, Technical University Munich, D-83350 Freising, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Fuggerstr. 8, D-81373 München, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Geological Survey, Neulinggasse 38, A-1030 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, D-07745 Jena, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Several thousand exceptionally well preserved fruits of Spiremat- Biometric analysis of 510 specimens, supported by computer to- ospermum wetzleri HEER 1859, CHANDLER 1925 have been collected mography, yielded exact data on the morphological variability of the from the Ponholz clay pit in Bavaria (Middle Miocene, Germany) and de- fruits and supported the emendation of the species diagnosis. One tailed morphological and biochemical investigations have been carried specimen with flower remains served to prove the inferior ovary of out. The systematic position of Spirematospermum within the Musaceae Spirematospermum wetzleri. Sterile fruits were not discovered; empty or Zingiberaceae families has been reconsidered in the light of the new capsules were always dehiscent whilst closed capsules always con- data and recent publications on Cretaceous Zingiberales. tained seeds.

38 The dry dehiscence mechanism of the capsule was irregular and netic Resonance analysis are currently being performed and might con- successive stages of the seed dispersal process have been reconstruct- tribute to the elucidation of the systematic position. ed. Spirematospermum wetzleri developed a double strategy for seed A wetland or at least a water-associated habitat has been recon- dispersal: 1) seed dispersal from the dehiscent capsules still attached structed for the Neogene Spirematospermum wetzleri plant, indicated to the plant and 2) the capsule was thrown off with the seeds still in- by the associated plant species and the sedimentary facies at Ponholz side. and as deduced from an analysis of 81 Upper Oligocene and Neogene A more detailed investigation of the seed orientation showed that floras with Spirematospermum. The reconstruction of the plant associa- the seed placentation was parietal, not axial as currently supposed. This is tions based on a comprehensive analysis of an even larger number of a critical trait for the systematic position and is incompatible with a close fossil floras, using cluster analysis, demonstrated in detail the changing relationship to its supposed closest living relative, Alpinia (ex Cenolophon) associations of Spirematospermum and their development throughout oxymitra K.SCHUM and also to its current affiliation to the Musaceae. the Oligocene, Miocene and Pliocene. Studies on fossil biochemical substances within Spirematospermum In sum, a new, thorough insight into the biology of this extraordi- wetzleri capsules and seeds by large-scale extraction and Nuclear Mag- nary plant has been provided.

JUR ASSIC FOSSIL STEM FROM THE VAJONT VALLEY NORTHEASTERN ITALY  PRELIMINARY STUDIES

Giovanna Franceschini1, Antonella Miola2, Guido Roghi3 and Marco Tonon1 1 “EcoMuseo Vajont – continuità di vita”, Via IX ottobre, Erto e Casso, 33170 Pordenone, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Dipartimento di Biologia dell’Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Ugo Bassi, 58/B, Padova, 35121, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 3Dipartimento di Geologia, Paleontologia e Geofisica, Università di Padova e Istituto Geoscienze e Georisorse- CNR, Padova, 35137, Italy, e-mail: [email protected]

Recent geological investigation in the Vajont Valley (Friuli-Venezia are common in the secondary xylem. Accordingly to the structures of Giulia – North-eastern Italy) allowed us to find an exceptionally well- the secondary xylem the fossil wood belongs to gymnosperms. The preserved fossil stem. The horizon, from where the fossil has been ex- xylem is characterized by equally dominant uniseriate and biseriate, tracted, mainly composed of flint and micrite, belongs to the Fonzaso alternate tracheid pitting with subordinately triseriate tracheid pitting Formation and is therefore Middle-Late Jurassic in age. on radial and tangential tracheid walls. Pit borders are hexagonal from Chemical analysis suggested that the fossil trunk is an example of crowding and the contact surface between pits in a vertical row is al- siliceous permineralization. ways a horizontal line. This pattern belongs evidently to an Araucarian- Microstructural analysis of the thin sections (both longitudinal and wood-type pit structure. transversal) permits to observe the organic material and the original On the basis of pattern and type of bordered pits and the arrange- cell structure, revealing the presence of a pycnoxylic secondary xylem. ment of ray cells the fossil wood could be a primitive conifer probably of Growth rings are not well distinct. Resin ducts are absent, but little am- the Dadoxylon-Araucarioxylon type. ber drops fill the tracheid lumina and ray parenchyma. Uniseriate rays

NEOGENE CLIMATES NEAR THE SOUTH POLE: EVIDENCE FROM FOSSIL PLANTS AND CLIMATEVEGETATION MODELS

Jane E. Francis’, Alan M. Haywood2, Allan C. Ashworth3, Steven Roof4 and David Cantrill5 1 Earth Sciences, University of Leeds, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 2 British Antarctic Survey, Madingley Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Department of Geosciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5517, USA; e-mail: [email protected] 4 Hampshire College, Amherst, MA.01002-3359, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 5 Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail: [email protected]

Since the initiation of glaciation in the early Oligocene the Antarctic tundra vegetation of in situ dwarf beeches, cushion plants and moss, ice sheets have been an important driver of our global oceanic and at- with beetles and molluscs, colonised periglacial landscapes only 300 mospheric systems. The ice sheets have been considered as inherently miles from the South Pole. Palaeoclimatic analysis of the fossils suggests stable, keeping Antarctica in a state of deep freeze. However, the dis- that the mean annual temperature was ~-12 °C, with short summers of covery of fossil plants and insects interbedded with glacial tillites of the temperatures up to +5 °C and long freezing winters. This implies that Pliocene Sirius Group at 85° S in the Transantarctic Mountains indicates the Antarctic ice sheets are not stable but may respond to future climate that the climate must have warmed dramatically during the Neogene warming more dramatically than once thought. and caused the ice sheets to retreat. New fossil discoveries indicate that

39 MODELLING LATE MIOCENE VEGETATION IN EUROPE AND COMPARISON WITH PROXY DATA  RECENT ADVANCES IN INTERPRETING ARBOREAL DIVERSITY OF FOSSIL FLOR AS

Louis M. François1, Torsten Utescher2, Boglarka Erdei3, Eric Favre4, Jeanne-Marine Laurent1, Arne Micheels5, Jean-Piere Suc4 and Volker Mosbrugger5 1 Laboratoire de Physique Atmosphérique et Planétaire, Université de Liège, Bât. B5c, Allée du Six Août 17, B-4000 Liège, Belgium 2 Geological Institut, Bonn University, Nussallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany 3 Botanical Department, Hungarian Natural History Museum, H-1476, POB222, Hungary 4 Laboratoire PaléoEnvironnements et PaléobioSphère, CNRS UMR 5125, Université Claude Bernard-Lyon 1, Bât. Géode, 27–43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre, F-69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France 5 Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

The latest version of the CARAIB (CARbon Assimilation In the Bio- Here we present a new method to compare model and proxy data sphere) model has recently been used to study the vegetation distribu- on the basis of presence/absence of single arboreal classes at a given tion during the Late Miocene (Tortonian) and to compare it with proxy locality. Likelihood studies on the co-occurrence of arboreal classes un- data-based reconstructions. The climatic inputs to CARAIB were obtained der present-day conditions are used to improve the internal consistency from atmospheric modelling (ECHAM). The CARAIB model has been spe- of the proxy data set. If several classes are possible for a single taxon, cifically adapted to study European Miocene vegetation types. It calcu- only those that can co-exist with the other classes identified at the site lates the potential distribution of 13 different classes of trees (including are retained. This methodology is similar to the co-existence approach cold/cool/warm temperate, sub-tropical and tropical types), together used in palaeoclimate reconstructions from fossil floras. It narrows the with their cover fractions, net primary productivities and biomasses. range of tree types present at the various sites by suppressing in the Previous comparisons between model and proxy data available data the extreme types, such as the cold temperate and tropical trees. from an analysis of ca. 50 Tortonian floras, using the same classes as in In addition, the method allows for an identification of outliers in the pal- the model, show a relatively poor agreement, especially when regard- aeobotanical record whose inferred ecology is not compatible with the ing cold temperate, tropical and some subtropical arboreal classes. One majority of taxa reported. It is shown that the application of the coex- reason for the discrepancies observed is the fact that the major part of istence technique improves the overall agreement between model and the Neogene arboreal taxa are assigned to several classes because the proxy data. identification level does not allow for a more precise classification.

NEW INFORMATION ON OLD FLOWERS: NONDESTRUCTIVE ANATOMICAL STUDIES OF CHARCOALIFIED FOSSILS FROM THE CRETACEOUS

Else Marie Friis1, Kaj Raunsgaard Pedersen2 and Stefan Bengtson 3 1 Department of Palaeobotany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Geology, University of Aarhus, Denmark, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Department of Palaeozoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail: [email protected]

Well-preserved Cretaceous flowers studied over the past 25 to 30 tures that for various reasons cannot be sectioned with conventional years have added crucial new information on the early differentiation of microtome techniques. A new technique that overcomes these prob- angiosperms and associated reproductive innovations. During the past lems for mesofossils has recently been developed using synchrotron- few year the increased interest in dating phylogenetic trees using fossils radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM). The method provides as calibration points has considerably increased the potential power of 3-dimensional internal and external information at the sub-micrometer fossil flowers in resolving question on angiosperm origin and timing of scale and has been applied successfully to small fossilised embryos of deep divergences among lineages of angiosperms. The use of fossils in Cambrian age as well as other small animal fossils. Recent applications these studies relies on the quality of the systematic analyses, which in of the method to charcoalified flowers show that the method is also turn rely on the quality of morphological and anatomical details that extremely useful for this kind of material. Scandianthus costatus Friis et can be retrieved from the fossils. The fossil flowers are typically minute Skarby first described from the Late Cretaceous flora of Åsen, Scania, preserving the 3-dimensional shape and it is in many cases possible to will be used as an example to demonstrate the method. Scandianthus make accurate reconstructions of external and internal features by com- was broadly referred to the Saxifragales sensu lato. According to new bining information from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and serial phylogenetic studies families previously included in this order are now sectioning. Serial sectioning is a destructive method and because of the attributed to several different orders of both the rosid and asteroid minute size of the fossils it is only possible to make one-directional sec- clades. Combining morphological and new anatomical studies from the tions. In cases where a taxon is represented by many specimens this may X-ray analysis allows a more detailed systematic analysis of Scandian- not cause a bigger problem. There are, however, many floral structures thus in the context of the new phylogenetic framework. that are known from a single or few specimens only or some floral struc-

40 OPEN LANDSCAPES VEGETATION IN THE VOROTAN RIVER BASIN ARMENIA IN PLIOCENEEARLY PLEISTOCENE

Ivan Gabrielyan Institute of Botany of Armenian National Academy of Sciences, Avan-63, Yerevan, 375063, Armenia

Since 1937, when the first imprints of plants and animals from the L., Salsola sp., Tanacetum chiliophyllum (Fisch. et C.A.Mey.) Sch. Bip., Th- Neogene-Quaternary deposits of the Vorotan River basin (Southern Ar- laspi arvense L., Trifolium trichocephalum Bieb.; woody-bushy – Juniperus menia), about six thousand samples with more than nine thousand im- polycarpos C. Koch, Acer ibericum Bieb., Calligonum polygonoides L., Celtis pressions of different parts of plants, animals and fungi were assembled. caucasica Willd., Cotinus coggygria Scop., Lonicera iberica Bieb., Paliurus Among impressions of plants there are species peculiar of various spina-christi Mill., Pistacia sp., Quercus infectoria Oliv., Spiraea crenata L., open landscapes, to mountain steppes, open steppe bushes, saline Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. et Hohen., etc. lands, phrygana, tomillares, light woods, mountain meadows etc. From The finds of these species indicate that in Pliocene-Early Pleistocene characteristic plants it is possible to mention the following species: her- in territory of South Armenia vegetation of open landscapes existed. baceous – Ceterach officinarum Willd., Daucus carota L., Halanthium sp., Accordingly, already then there were such climatic limiting factors, as Heracleum trachyloma Fisch. et C.A. Mey., Nepeta mussinii Spreng., Ox- shortage of moisture and (or) high or contrary low winter, or mean an- yria digyna (L.) Hill, Pastinaca armena Fisch. et C.A. Mey., Rumex crispus nual temperatures.

FERNSSEED PLANTS RELATIONSHIPS AND THE ORIGIN OF MEGAPHYLLS

Jean Galtier UMR Botanique et Bioinformatique, CIRAD, Montpellier, France, e-mail: [email protected]

Ferns have been long considered to be the group from which seed 3 In contrast, the megaphyll in the earliest seed plants was several ten plants evolved, an idea which found support in the recognition of the centimetres long, with both isotomous and pinnate branching and seed ferns. This concept was challenged by the discovery of the Progym- a proximal (petiolar) trace broad, bilateral in symmetry with two to sev- nospermopsida as the probable direct ancestors to seed plants. Recent eral protoxylem strands; such a leaf certainly evolved from the modi- cladistic analysis suggest that ferns, together with sphenopsids, are the fication of one entire lateral branch system of aneurophytalean-type, closest living relatives to seed plants (plus progymnosperms) even if becoming anatomically dorsiventral, with ultimate appendages as pin- there is some disagreement about the monophyly versus polyphyly of nules. Planation and webbing of the pinnules evolved independently ferns. The analysis of relationships between ferns and seed plants raises and at different rates in this group but broad (ca. 10 mm) laminate pin- a number of problems and the definition of homologies, particularly nules evolved during Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous time. concerning the anatomy and morphology of megaphylls (also fertile 4 The megaphyll in the earliest ferns, also several ten centimetres long, organs) are central to this debate. certainly evolved from the modification of one entire lateral branch In the last twenty years much progress has been made in our un- system of some basal euphyllophytes. In zygopterid ferns the three- derstanding of the earliest seed plants and fern-like Devonian plants dimensional frond had a primary rachis (also called a phyllophore) not including progymnosperms. The objective of this paper is a review of really dorsiventral, i.e. possessing two planes of symmetry perpen- available data allowing to interpret the origin and evolution of mega- dicular to each other, which was bearing two to four rows of second phylls in these Devonian to early Carboniferous plants. As a result, we order rachises (pinnae) with a single plane of symmetry oriented to- propose to distinguish: wards it. The phyllophore xylem configuration was bipolar mesarch, 1 “Potential megaphyll precursors”(Kenrick and Crane 1987), a few oval to bar-shaped, changing to X or H-shaped geometries in more centimetres in length, with a single mesarch circular vascular trace advanced zygopterids. Other early ferns (e.g. botryopterids) directly proximally; they are small, isotomously branched, non planar and evolved dorsiventral leaves with the single planes of symmetry of unwebbed ultimate appendages that are helically (rarely alternate- the successive rachises being parallel to each other. Frond branching ly) borne on lateral branches in cladoxyls, Ibyka, Rhacophytales and was pinnate. Their petiole trace was oval, bilateral in symmetry, with Aneurophytales. one to several adaxial protoxylem strands. Webbing of the ultimate 2 In archaeopteridalean progymnosperms, small ultimate branch sys- frond appendages to produce laminate pinnules was a slow evolu- tems show evolutionary series to planation and webbing and the ulti- tionary process in ferns in general by comparison to the situation in mate appendages of some Archaeopteris represent (one of) the oldest progymnosperms and early seed plants: laminate pinnules in ferns evidence of a flat laminate leaf (up to 5 cm long and 3 cm wide) that only reached 1 mm broad in Carboniferous time. In conclusion, whilst is interpreted as a small megaphyll. They are considered as homolo- the divergence of ferns and seed plants is still unresolved, present gous to, but more advanced than, the above mentioned “megaphyll data support that megaphylls evolved independently, several times, precursors”. during the Devonian-Early Carboniferous time.

41 EOCENE POTAMOGETONACEAE FOSSIL FRUITS FROM CHUBUT PROVINCE, PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA

Maria A. Gandolfo1, Néstor Rubén Cúneo2, María del Carmen Zamaloa3 and Ana Archangelsky2 1 238 Plant Biology, L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Dept. Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 2 MEF – Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio, Av. Fontana 140, U9100GYO Trelew, Chubut, Argentina, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 3 Dept. de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Int. Güiraldes 2620. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, e-mail: [email protected]

The cosmopolitan and aquatic family Potamogetonaceae Dumor- the fruits probably placed in eight whorls of four fruits each. Isolated tier comprises three extant genera with approximately 100 species. The fruits are small one-seeded bisymmetrical endocarps (1–2 mm wide family is characterized by having terminal or axillary inflorescences in and 2–3 mm long), ovate to oblong in shape, with long peduncles (up panicles or spikes and by its “drupaceous” fruits, which are abaxially to 1.4 cm), and short styles (no more than 0.3 mm) vertically opposite rounded with endocarps but lacking of the fleshy mesocarps. Its fossil or slightly displaced to each other. The majority of the endocarps show record, consisting of nine genera based on fruit remains, extends from a convex ventral margin and the lateral protrusion in the area of exter- the Eocene to Miocene principally from Europe (England, Ukraine, Rus- nal depression. The studied material share characters with the fossil ge- sia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Siberia and Denmark) and one record from nus Limnocarpus and the extant genus Ruppia. Due to the fact that only the early Miocene of Saudi Arabia. Recently, several fruits sharing char- confirmed endocarps in pairs can be placed taxonomically within Lim- acters with the complex of fossil species assigned to the family Pota- nocarpus, that the fossils show only a couple of characters that define mogetonaceae have been found in Eocene sediments from Patagonia, the modern Ruppia, and that they can not be placed confidently within Argentina. Fossils were collected at the Puesto Baibian locality, which any Potamogetonaceae fossil genera, a new genus is erected for these outcrops on the East side of the Sierra de La Colonia, Chubut, Argen- fossils. Interestingly, more recent palynological studies at the same lo- tina. Stratigraphycally, this locality occurs above the Maastrichtian cality show the presence of an association dominated by Sparganiace- La Colonia Formation and below the Sarmiento Group sediments of aepollenites, which appears similar to those found in sediments of the middle Eocene?-Oligocene age. Based on the pollen content and the Northern Hemisphere where fossil fruits assigned to Limnocarpus were stratigraphic position, the most likely age of the locality is Eocene. Fos- previously recorded. sils are impressions/compressions of infructescences and isolated fruits This account reports the first record of Potamogetonaceae fossil preserved as molds. The infructescences are probably panicles with fruits for the Southern Hemisphere.

UNDERSTANDING PRESENT PINUS DISTRIBUTION ON WESTERN EUROPEAN COASTS

Ignacio García-Amorena1, Fernando Gómez-Manzaneque1, Carlos Morla1, Juan Manuel Rubiales1, Helena Maria Granja2 and Gaspar Soares de Carvalho 2 1 E.T.S.I. Montes, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Spain 2 Departamento de Ciências da Terra, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal

Numerous works have been published claiming that since the Ro- inferred from the sampled coastal beds. It suggests that such climate man Period, humans have been spreading out Pinus pinaster forests change from LGM to present-day conditions is the cause of P. gr. sylves- along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Public awareness of tris-nigra present absence at the coast of Portugal. Quercus tp. robur and the anthropogenic expansion has lead to consider no coastal P. pinaster Fraxinus sp. trunks found together with Pinus remains, shows that differ- stands as natural. To clarify the nature of the western Iberian Pinus for- ent habitats found refuge in the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula ests, a look to the past is advisable. at LGM. Southern to Lisbon, 32 stems 14C dated on the Holocene Climatic Present day beach erosion and coastal retreat, as a consequence Optimum (HCO) around 7 000 yrs BP, reveal the expansion of Pinus pin- of sea level rise since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), expose organic aster forest along sandy costal areas of western Europe, concurring with remains from the vegetation that grew in the past. 80 collected subfos- P. gr. sylvestris-nigra disappearance. Stems sizes and their distribution sil woods from Lisbon to Miño River have been identified by means of reflects an open forest where light might have had an important role their anatomical features, revealing vegetation changes through the on the shrub layer enhancement, expressed by Juniperus and Erica gr. last 34 000 years. More than 100km migration of Pinus gr. sylvestris-ni- vagans-cinerea wood remains. In the light of the macrorremains chro- gra stands from the coast to above 1 000 m a.s.l. mountain areas, is evi- nology and identification, it becomes clear that if P. pinaster distribu- denced by a number of in-situ coastal trunks 14C dated on ~34 to ~20 kyrs tion has been expanded by humans, their stands occupied the coast BP. From 5 to 13 °C mean annual temperature differences are observed of Portugal before the landscape disturbance of Neolithic settlements between P. gr. sylvestris-nigra present locations and the temperature became widespread from 6 000 yrs BP onwards.

42 THE HOLOCENE POLLEN RECORD IN THE VILLAVICIOSA ESTUARY ASTURIAS, NORTH SPAIN

Mercedes García-Antón1, Graciela Gil-Romeral 1, Jose Luis Pagés 2 and Ángela Alonso-Millán2 1 Departamento de Biología (Botánica), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Sección Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de A Corunña, 25071 A Coruña, Spain

New data are provided on the history of Holocene vegetation based Corylus, the presence of an interesting thermophilous floral assemblage on pollen records from a coastal sequence on the Cantabrian coast. and alder forests that spread around 3000 years ago. The latter appears A core with a continuous record corresponding to a complex sequence to be related to the availability of large areas of territory close to the reflecting upward shallowing was studied, and two 14C dates of 6180F40 Villaviciosa Estuary main channel and to a high phreatic zone. It is inter- (7030 cal.) yr BP and 2610F70 (2775 cal.) yr BP were obtained. The pol- preted as a response to autocyclic sedimentary discontinuity (channel len study highlights the development in the area of an oak forest with displacement) rather than as an episode of sea-level fall.

HYDROLOGICAL CONTROLS ON THE CONTINENTAL PLANTFOSSIL RECORD: A MODEL FOR PRESERVATIONAL MODES

Robert A. Gastaldo Colby College, Department of Geology, Waterville, ME 04901, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

It is established that the labile plant parts (e.g., leaves, reproduc- the variation in preservational quality found within continental terrestrial tive structures) require conditions that isolate them from physical and/ sequences. or biological decay before preservation. Such depositional conditions The highest preservation potential exists when plant-part accumu- are associated with rapid burial, dysoxia or anoxia, low pH, and redox lation directly follows increased accommodation within a basin. As base conditions that inhibit ion exchange. Actualistic studies have provided level changes in response to subsidence, accomodation is filled rapidly insight into the depositional environments in which such conditions ex- and a new, long-term water table is established higher in the stratigraphic ist, presently, and the processes associated with preservation potential section. Plant-bearing depositional environments above each disconform- of megafloral remains. It is assumed that each environment of deposi- ity, buried through aggradational processes, provide the highest fidelity tion has an equal probability to be found in the stratigraphic record, and record. Here, plant parts are preserved as adpressions or compressions. plant-fossil assemblages record environmental conditions across the cli- Landscape stasis occurs when aggradational processes reach equilibrium, mate spectrum (extreme wet to dry). This is not the case for continental resulting in pedogenesis and alterations within underlying deposits due regimes, particularly those controlled by fluvial processes. to fluctuations in the water table. Prolonged intervals of severe drought The continental plant record is controlled by basinal landscape that, (deep drying) or rainfall (leaching and pore-water chemistry change) in turn, is controlled by regional, hemispherical, and/or global climate. result in rapid loss of buried debris via pedogenesis. Under these con- Burial processes (e.g., avulsion; high magnitude, low frequency floods; ditions, previously buried plant parts are removed from the record, and ashfall) may promote preservation potential of accumulated debris but, only those assemblages existing below the level of deepest groundwater ultimately, the persistent level of the groundwater table in the basin over withdrawal may remain. If some compaction has proceeded the change the multi-millennial scale (and beyond) controls the fate of buried mate- in groundwater table, buried debris may be preserved as impressions or rial. Three conditions operate on basin hydrology – increased accommo- poorly preserved adpressions. Landscape degradation via subsidence or dation and landscape aggradation, landscape stasis, and landscape deg- uplift removes buried plants via erosion and resets regional water table. radation – and act in concert to control the preservational mode of the The introduction of pore waters reacts with once deeply buried organic plant-fossil record. The following model provides a mechanism to explain debris, resulting in impressions of once labile organs.

STRUCTURE AND IDENTIFICATION OF EAST EUROPEAN AND CAUCASIAN VIOLA POLLEN VIOLACEAE BASED ON SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE DATA

Olga A. Gavrilova and V. V. Nikitin Komarov Botanical Institute RAS, 2, prof. Popov str., 197376, St.-Petersburg, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The genus Viola is cosmopolitan and the most numerous (500 spe- Viola members have sphaeroidal or ellipsoidal, 3-4-5- or 6-colp (or)ate cies) in the family Violaceae (29 genera and 900 species). Previously pollen. Using SEM we have found the next simple and complex types of Viola pollen have been investigated mainly with light microscope and exine ornamentation: their identification has been based on morphometrical characteristics • simple ornamentation: granulate, microperforate, rugulate; (pollen sizes, length and width of colpi) or (and) percentage of 3-4-ap- • complex ornamentation: granulate-rugulate, granulate-micro per- ertural or 5-6-apertural grains. It was impossible to define pollen orna- forate, verrucate-granulate, rugulate-microperforate. mentation by LM data because of minimal sizes (less than 0.1 mkm) of Pollen grains of the species of Viola section are medium (20–40 mkm structural units on pollen surface. in diameter), 3-, rarely 4-colp(or)ate with long colpa and mainly complex We have studied pollen grains of 43 species, 5 subspecies and 3 hy- ornamentation. Representatives of Melanium section have pollen 40– brids of East European and Caucasian representatives of the genus Viola 70 mkm in diameter, 4-5-colporate, rarely 3- or 6-colporate with short using scanning electron microscope, pollen of 30 their taxons are inves- colpa and simple ornamentation. tigated for the first time. Pollen material was selected from the herbaria. A key for the identification of Viola polen is presented here. The

43 possible application to systematics and probably evolutional trends are This investigation is partly supported by Russian foundation of Basic discussed. Research, N 05-04-48755-a.

POLLEN MORPHOLOGY IN CHENOPODIACEAE: ATRIPLEX, KOCHIA, PETROSIMONIA AND SALSOLA

Olga A. Gavrilova1, O. Y. Sventorzhetskaya1, Dmitri A. Britski1 and Petr I. Tokarev2 1 Komarov Botanical Institute RAS, 2, prof.Popov str., 197376, St.-Petersburg, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Lomonosow Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

Pollen grains of 57 species belonging to four genera (Atriplex, Ko- 1. The pollen grains are polypanporate, round or wavy, chia, Petrosimonia and Salsola) of the family Chenopodiaceae were stud- the ratio A less 0.08...... 2 ied with light and scanning electron microscope. Pollen of all investi- + The pollen grains are polypanporate, round or 6–8-angulate, the ra- gated species is spheroidal, 13 to 53 mkm in diameter, polypantoporate tio A more 0.08...... most part of Salsola species (from 11 to 70 pores in one grain), with spinulose ornamentation. The 2. The amount of spinules inside the pore less 10...... Atriplex, Kochia exine is 1.3–3.2 mkm thick. The diameter of pore ranges from 1.1 to 6.0 + The amount of spinules inside the pore 14–28...... mkm. Pollen of chenopodiaceous species and genera is difficult to dis- ...... Petrosimonia, Salsola crassa, S. dendroides, tinguish one to another. S. dshungarica, S. gemmascens, S. laricina. Grain’s size and sizes of their pores range in pollen of one species Then to composing the key to pollen of separate species we use and depend on the position of a flower on the shoot. To differ the pol- next palynonogycal features as sizes of spinules and density of its al- len of separate species we were made a calculation of the ratio A (pore location in mesoporium, the amount of spinules inside the pore and the diameter to grain diameter) and then we compiled the key to Chenopo- distance between two pores. Salsola’s species demonstrate the most diaceae genera pollen: fluctuations of pollen characteristics.

A WHOLEPLANT ARAUCARIA FROM THE LATE JUR ASSIC MORRISON FORMATION OF THE HOWE R ANCH, WYOMING, USA, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SAUROPOD DINOSAUR FEEDING ECOLOGY

Carole T. Gee Institute of Paleontology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Over a decade of excavations in a dinosaur bonebed in the Late niferous wood is also present in great quantities. The virtually exclusive Jurassic, the Morrison Formation has yielded a large, albeit low-diver- co-occurrence of hundreds of compression fossils in this bonebed, as sity flora of compression and permineralized fossils that pertain to the well as consistencies in morphology, suggest that they pertain to the various plant organs of Araucaria. These come primarily from the Howe same species of Araucaria, which represents a new, unnamed form. Paly- Stephens Quarry (G-Quarry) on the Howe Ranch in northern Wyoming. nological analysis of samples from associated facies presents a broader Reproductive structures of Araucaria are represented by large, squat picture of the regional flora, which includes ferns, fern allies, seed ferns, seed cones with partially fused ovuliferous scale-bract complexes that and other conifers that likely inhabited moister habitats. Recent fermen- were shed at maturity, as well as slender pollen cones with long-bristled tation experiments on the foliage from living proxies of the Mesozoic cone scales. The winged, ligulate, single-seeded nature of the cone- flora (e.g., lycopods, horsetails, ferns, tree ferns, cycads, conifers) indi- scale complexes and the detached non-winged seeds point to an affin- cate that the leaves of modern Araucaria spp. are a good source of nutri- ity with an extant species, A. bidwillii, Section Bunya, although the size, tion for browsing herbivores, especially in regard to calorie intake. Thus, shape, and awl-tipped microsporophylls of the pollen cones resemble as a major producer of biomass in the local flora, the Jurassic Araucaria those of living A. araucana, Section Araucaria (syn. Colymbea). Rhomboi- trees at the Howe Quarry may have served as an essential food source dal scale leaves (morpho genus Brachyphyllum) which are densely and for the giant-sized adult sauropods living there. helically arranged about twigs and branches represent the foliage. Co-

A NEW LEAF ASSEMBLAGE FROM THE LATE OLIGOCENE SILICICLASTIC FACIES AT WINTERMÜHLENHOF NEAR BONN, GERMANY

Carole T. Gee1, Rolf Gossmann2, and Nils Riedel3 1 Institute of Paleontology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Ossietzkystrasse 5, D-53123 Bonn, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Institute of Paleontology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Recent construction work on the Wintermühlenhof farm estate in lected from by local rockhounds hunting for colorful pieces of opalized the Siebengebirge region east of Bonn has unearthed numerous blocks wood. The fossil-bearing nature of this horizon at adjacent localities was bearing abundant remains of fossil plants. This sudden discovery on the known to regional geologists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Paleobotani- slope below the Petersberg in early 2006 has yielded a diverse leaf flora cal attention began with C. Otto Weber in 1852 and was taken up again from a horizon that was last exposed nearly 40 years ago and was col- by Hermann Weyland in 1940, and these floras have been newly de-

44 scribed by Heinz Winterscheid. However, no major systematic study has found among the leaf impressions. The fossil wood, which is comprised been carried out on the fossil flora at the Wintermühlenhof outcrop. of brightly colored, permineralized twigs and branches, is found in The flora at Wintermühlenhof occurs in siliciclastic beds, which are a gravelly conglomerate. represented by fluvial facies that include channel fill, alluvial fan, and The Wintermühlenhof flora is dominated by leaves of large woody floodplain deposits. Known in the literature as the quarzige liegende dicots, although there are coniferous remains as well, namely Quasise- Schichten des Siebengebirges, the siliciclastic beds are conformably over- quoia couttsiae, Sequoia abietina, Taxodium dubium vel balticum, and lain by a thick trachyte tuff horizon (Trachyttuff ), which constrains the Pinus sp. Characteristic of the dicot flora are paleotropical elements, minimum age of the beds to the late Oligocene (Chattian). The tuff ho- especially the Lauraceae and Fagaceae: Daphnogene lanceolata, D. rizon protected these beds from erosion, as well as preserved the plant cinnamomifolia, Laurophyllum pseudoprinceps, L. acutimontanum, Eot- remains, as the weathering of the volcanic ash layer led to the mobiliza- rigonobalanus furcinervis, Trigonobalanopsis rhamnoides, T. exacantha. tion of silica, resulting in the silicification of the sediments below. Entire-margined leaves also include Magnolia sp. On the other hand, The leaves are preserved in silicified mudstone to fine sandstone, the flora contains arctotertiary dicots such as Populus germanica, Liqui- and consist of non-carbonaceous impressions, which are stained in part dambar europaea, Quercus goeppertii, Pterocarya sp., Juglans sp., Myrica by limonite and manganese oxide. They no longer bear cuticle but do lignitum, and leaflets of the Fabaceae. exhibit primary to tertiary venation. Some reproductive structures are

THE LATE OLIGOCENE ROTT FLOR A REUNITED IN BONN

Carole T. Gee1, Georg Heumann1, P. Martin Sander1 and Jes Rust1 1 Institute of Paleontology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

The late Oligocene lake deposit of Rott, located 12 km due east of the property of the Krantz company, a commercial fossil and mineral Bonn in the hilly Siebengebirge region of Germany, is well known for its dealer in Bonn. very diverse leaf flora and spectacular insect fauna, as well as for its ver- In 2004, the LACMNH generously presented the Goldfuss Museum tebrate fauna. Although paleobotanical remains have been noted since at the Institute of Paleontology at the University of Bonn with more than 1846, careful morphological study and detailed systematic description 2800 specimens from the paleobotanical portion of the Statz collection, of the fossil plants were first undertaken by Hermann Weyland, who mainly in response to the closure of their botany section in Los Angeles, published a five-part monograph in Palaeontographica over a period of but also owing to Bonn’s sustained interest in Rott paleontology. This 11 years (1937–1948). Altogether, approximately 250 taxa of leaf, fruit, impetus led to the procurement of university funds by the Institute of and seed compressions were described by Weyland. Paleontology to purchase the Kastenholz Collection (978 specimens, While many of these specimens originated from university and mu- 283 of which pertain to plants) a few months later, which was kindly sold seum collections in Bonn, Cologne, and Siegburg, some were merely by Krantz to the Institute of Paleontology at a modest price. Thus, these on loan to Weyland for the duration of his work from the collections of two important collections of Rott plants are united once more under private collectors such as Georg Statz and Anton Kastenholz who, in the a single roof, where they greatly boost and complement the existing 1930’s, systematically reworked the historic mine dumps of the early 19th and extensive Rott collections in Bonn. The only other significant col- century to collect plant and insect fossils. Approximately 50 % of the 594 lection of Rott plants is housed in the Stadtmuseum in Siegburg across specimens figured in Weyland’s monograph originated from the Statz the Rhine from Bonn. All these collections have become historically and Collection, and nearly 4 % from the Kastenholz Collection. In the Statz paleontologically more valuable with time, as the old mine dumps at collection alone, there are 93 types documenting new genera or species. Rott are basically inaccessible due to dense forest cover and are pro- Thus, these privately owned fossils not only formed a large percentage tected from any collecting by private individuals by the state’s natural of the flora, they also represent some of the best-preserved examples or heritage protection agency. even one-of-a-kind specimens in the Rott flora as a whole. Since their arrival to Bonn, both the Statz and Kastenholz collec- Neither of these private collections nor their holotypes and figure tions have undergone curation and restoration, and are currently being originals were then deposited in a museum or university, but were re- cataloged electronically at the Institute of Paleontology. There, they are tained by the individual collectors and later sold by their respective kept in a newly furnished room dedicated to Tertiary floras (including heirs. The Statz collection was bought by the Natural History Museum of the Wintermühlenhof flora; see accompanying poster) and insects of Los Angeles County (LACMNH), while the Kastenholz collection became the Lower Rhine region.

A PERTICALIKE EUPHYLLOPHYTE REVISITED

Patricia G. Gensel Dept. of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N. C. 27599, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

A plant resembling the genus Pertica, described by Gensel (1984), nized species of Pertica, the new taxon exhibits preservation of xylem represents a new taxon and along with some other taxa may possess and other resistant tissues. Vasculature consists of a 3 or 4-armed actin- features that allow for renewed evaluation of basal euphyllophyte rela- ostele comprised of primary xylem. Protoxylem is present in the mid- tionships. Like Pertica, this plant consists of a dominant main axis, with dle and near tips of each arm, and sometimes along arms during trace helically arranged lateral branches. Fertile ultimate branches terminate formation. Traces to first order lateral branches are ovoid or shallowly in paired sporangia; the last few dichotomies occur at closely spaced triangular (in larger ones), and those to second order branches are ovoid intervals so the sporangia are tightly clustered. It differs from presently to round. Mode of trace departure is variable in both vegetative and fer- known perticas in that lateral branches may be single or paired, and tile regions. In comparison to other basal euphyllophyte lineages, this both fertile and sterile lateral branches are pseudomonopodially ar- plant is very different from aneurophytealeans in that the anatomical ranged, bearing synchronously isodichotomous second order branches change to a “leaf equivalent” occurs between the main axis and first or- at 1–3 cm intervals. While anatomy is unknown in most presently recog- der branch. This happens at the ultimate, or sometimes penultimate, or-

45 der of branching in aneurophytes. Iridopteridaleans and cladoxyls also renchyma are variable, in these groups and represent a potential new exhibit a change in vascular strand shape between main axis and first characters for inclusion in analyses directed at delineating early/basal order traces. Details about trace formation and trace configuration, as euphyllophyte lineages. well as protoxylem position and presence/absence of protoxylem pa-

QUATERNARY PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHY OF THE TR ANSCARPATHIAN LOWLAND

Natalia Gerasimenko Earth Science and Geomorphology Department, Kyiv National Shevchenko University, 2, Glushkova str., Kyiv, 03022, Ukraine, e-mail: [email protected]

The continuous Quaternary sequence Gat’ (38 m long) and the The Middle Pleistocene starts with the Zavadivka unit which in- section of multilayered archaeological site Sokirnitsa have been paly- cludes two interglacials. The first one has Quercetum mixtum and nologically studied. The Ukrainian framework of Quaternary (Veklitch Carpinus phases, separated by Pinus phase. Picea occurs later, and Pte- et al., 1993) is used for stratigraphic subdivision. Two interglacials are rocarya appears for the last time at the end of interglacial that ena- detected in the Early Pleistocene, and six interglacials, corresponding to bles its correlation with Holsteinian. The second interglacial had early paleosols or organic sediments, are recognized between the Brunhes- appearance of Carpinus, Fagus and Picea, though Quercetum mixtum Matuyama boundary and Saalian. Two Early Glacial interstadials and stage was also expressed, and Abies expanded at the end. The last pre- Middle Pleniglacial one are defined above the Last Interglacial. Pollen in Saalian interglacial (Potyagaylivka unit) does not have a distinct pollen the loams, separating interglacial and interstadial units, is mainly non- succession. Relatively low share of broad-leaved and Picea, absence of arboreal and indicative for cold environment. Abies are typical. The first Early Pleistocene interglacial has well expressed stages: The Eemian interglacial, detected in the Kaydaky unit, has such mesocratic (Quercetum mixtum), telocratic (Carpinus-Fagus), pre- and phases: Pinus+Betula (E1), Pinus+Quercus+Ulmus (E2), Quercetum mixtum post-temperate (Pinus). Early appearance and the highest pollen counts (E3), Quercetum mixtum+Corylus+Carpinus (E4), Carpinus+Alnus+Corylus of Carpinus are typical for the second interglacial, as well as the largest (E5), Picea+Carpinus+Abies (E6a), Pinus+Picea+Betula (E6b). Presence diversity of Neogene relics and Picea-Abies peak at its end. The intergla- of Fagus through phases E3-E6a is a local feature of the Eemian in the cial, marked by paleomagnetic reversal (Lower Martonosha unit), also Transcarpathia. The Early Glacial interstadials are detected in the Pry- has early appearance of Carpinus, admixture of Neogene relics and late luky unit, containing Mousterian cultural layers. Both interstadials had peak of dark conifers, but the share of broad-leaved taxa is lower than dominance of boreal trees (particularly Pinus) but broad-leaved taxa before. During the next interglacial within Cromerian, Pinus dominated were also present – in noticeable numbers (and including Carpinus) in stronger and only few Neogene relics occurred. Two interglacials are de- the first interstadial, and in small numbers in the second one. The Mid- tected in the Lubny unit. The first one has Picea+Alnus, Quercetum mix- dle Pleniglacial interstadial, 14C-dated to 38–39 000 BP (Hengelo), differs tum and Pinus zones, AP drops at the end. In the second one, Carpinus, by an increase of non-arboreal plants (forest-steppe) and only singular Fagus and Picea appeared early. The late peak of Abies, abundance of occurrence of broad-leaved taxa. Alnus and few pollen of Pterocarya and Juglans are typical.

THE PERMINER ALIZED LIGNOPHYTE REMAINS FROM RONQUIÈRES MIDDLE DEVONIAN, BELGIUM: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Philippe Gerrienne1 and Brigitte Meyer-Berthaud2 1 Paléobotanique, Paléopalynologie et Micropaléontologie, Département de Géologie, Université de Liège, B18, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Botanique et bioinformatique de l’architecture des plantes, AMAP-CIRAD , TA40/PS2, Boulevard de la Lironde, 34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France, e-mail: [email protected]

The Middle Devonian represents a period of important taxonomic geographically close (a few hundred meters) from the locality that pro- turnover for early terrestrial plants that showed high origination rates. vided the proto-ovule Runcaria which is no longer accessible. This pattern coincides with the appearance of phenotypic novelties Seven permineralized axes are assigned to the stenokolalean genus (tree habit, megaphyllous leaves with increasing laminate surfaces, pro- Crossia Beck and Stein. All are similar to the single fragment interpreted to-ovules) that potentially increased the range of growth, reproductive, as a first-order axis by Beck and Stein. They show a large three-ribbed and dispersal strategies of the plants, modified interactions between protostele containing up to 20 protoxylem strands arranged along the organisms, and may have initiated a profound modification of the ter- mid-planes of the primary xylem. A ring of secondary xylem with radi- restrial landscapes. ally aligned tracheids and narrow rays is present in several specimens. In this presentation, we focus on the rise, in the Givetian, of euphyl- Lateral appendages are produced alternately and in pairs, each mem- lophyte taxa related to the lignophytes and possessing secondary tis- ber of a pair containing two separate strands of unequal size proximally. sues, a feature permitting erect sporophytes to acquire a large stature The second type of plant consists of a decorticated axis measuring and eventually reach the tree habit. Plant deposits of Givetian age are 18 cm in diameter, superficially resembling Callixylon in transverse sec- numerous and widely distributed over the Palaeozoic palaeocontinents; tion. The primary vascular system is eustelic and comprises an outer yet the richest and most diverse in terms of lignophytes and related taxa ring of numerous, small, discrete xylem strands surrounding a large occur in Laurussia, a distribution also observed in the Late Devonian. pith. The secondary xylem is pycnoxylic and does not show any growth Here we describe two plants of middle to late Givetian age (TA spore ring. Tracheid diameter varies greatly along radial rows. In tangen- Zone) of Belgium, remarkable for their ability to produce fair amounts tial section, rays are short, up to 10 cells high, and of two types. One of secondary xylem at some levels. The permineralized remains were type is uni- to biseriate and comprises small parenchyma cells; the collected from a locality in the Ronquières area, contemporaneous and second type, mostly uniseriate, comprises much broader cells. Pit-

46 ting is continuous over the radial and tangential walls of tracheids. in progress at Liege University). This exceptional diversity will help to At least 15 different taxa of adpressed and permineralized fossils of characterize the environment in which the earliest seed plants and plants have been so far identified from the “Plan incliné de Ronquières” lignophytes evolved. area. More than 20 different megaspore species are also recorded (work

MICROFLOR A OF THE “MUSCHELK ALK SEDIMENTARY CYCLE” IN THE NW IBERIAN R ANGE, CENTR AL SPAIN

Soledad Garcia Gil and José B. Diez Dept. Xeociencias Mariñas e Ordenación do Territorio, Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Spain, e-mail: [email protected]

The study region is located at the junction of the Central System and A. opii, A. robustus, Alisporites sp., Calamospora tener, Calamospora sp., Iberian Ranges, in central Spain. The Triassic formations exhibit an over- Camerosporites secatus, Chordasporites singulicorda, Chordasporites sp., lapping geometry across the whole area lying with angular unconform- Duplicisporites granulatus, Duplicisporites sp., Heliosaccus dimorphus, Il- ity upon Palaeozoic rocks in this region. The top of the “Buntsandstein linites chitonoides, Infernopollenites sulcatus, Kraeuselisporites sp., Luna- Sedimentary Cycle” is an unconformable surface of gentle erosive relief tisporites sp., Microcachryidites fastidioides, Microcachryidites sp., Ovali- succeeded by the “Muschelkalk Sedimentary Cycle” sediments overlap- pollis pseudoalatus, Ovalopollis sp., Paracirculina scurrilis, Partitisporites ping the older Triassic formations. tenebrosus, Partitisporites sp., Platysaccus papilionis, Platysaccus cf. papil- The “Muschelkalk sedimentary cycle” in the NW Iberian Range is ionis, Platysaccus sp. Praecirculina granifer, Punctatisporites fungosus, compound by four formations; Torete Fm. composed for siltstones and Pityosporites neomundanus, Pityosporites sp., Samaropollenites speciosus, sandstones, overlaid by two carbonate formations (Tramacastilla Fm. Schizosaccus keuperi, Staurosaccites quadrifidus, Striatoabieites aytugii, and Royuela Fm.) passing laterally into the terrigenous facies of Cuesta Triadispora falcata, T. plicata, T. staplinii, T. suspecta, Triadispora sp., uni- del Castillo Fm. dentified spores and unidentified bisaccates. Sixty-four samples containing palynological associations have been The group of taxa composed for Chordasporites singulicorda, Illinites analysed. The samples of the Torete Fm. were shown unproductive in chitonoides, Microcachryidites fastidioides, Platysaccus papilionis disap- this region. This formation onlaps the unconformity surface at the top pears at the end of the Longobardian and that Partitisporites tenebrosus of the Buntsandstein Facies and is interpreted as the transgressive ter- appears at the beginning of the same stage. We conclude that the paly- rigenous facies preceding shallow marine carbonate sedimentation. nological assemblages found in the samples establish a Longobardian The palynological associations found in Tramacastilla Fm., Royue- age (Upper Ladinian) for the Tramacastilla Fm, Royuela Fm and Cuesta la Fm. and Cuesta del Castillo Fm. have a very similar composition. In del Castillo Fm of the “Muschelkalk sedimentary cycle” in the region. general, these assemblages are rich and show acceptable (no excep- This chronostratigraphic attribution is coherent with the Upper Fassa- tional) state of conservation, are constituted by Alisporites cacheutensis, nian age given to the Torete Fm. in other adjacent areas.

PALYNOFACIES SIGNATURES OF MESOZOIC EPEIRIC SEAS: CLUE TO RECONSTRUCTION OF BASIN EVOLUTION

Annette E. Götz1, Susanne Feist-Burkhardt2, Katrin Ruckwied1, Joachim Szulc3 and Ákos Török4 1 Institute of Geosciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06099 Halle (Saale), Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Palaeontology Department, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Institute of Geological Science, Jagiellonian University, Oleandry 2a, Pl-30-063 Cracow, Poland, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Department of Construction Materials and Engineering Geology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Sztoczek u. 2, H-1521 Budapest, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected]

During Mesozoic times the opening Tethys Ocean was boarded by The Vocontian Basin of SE France reveals thick Mesozoic deposits. shallow epeiric seas. The NW Peri-Tethys Basin of the Triassic period, the During the Upper Cretaceous, representing a global highstand period, so-called Germanic Basin, covered today’s Central Europe. The marine a broad carbonate platform developed along the NW Tethys periph- evolution after the global Permian sea-level lowstand period started ery. Key sections in the Rhône valley, Baronnies and Maritime Alps dis- with the Middle Triassic transgression via gateways that connected play sedimentary series of a palaeogeographic cross-section from the the Germanic Basin with the Tethys Ocean. Major third-order eustatic proximal and distal platform in the West to the deeper basin in the signals are well documented in the sedimentary record. The study of East. Palynofacies analysis enables the characterization of transgres- stratigraphical and lateral distribution patterns of sedimentary organic sive and highstand deposits as well as major flooding phases within matter enables a detailed reconstruction of the eustatic history during the stratigraphic record. The lateral variation of palynofacies displays Middle Triassic times. The southern gates of the Germanic Basin and the palaeoenvironmental evolution and is used for long-distance cor- the adjacent shelf of the NW Tethys Sea are key areas for correlation of relation. depositional sequences of these two palaeogeographic settings. To- The study of sedimentary organic matter provides additional in- day, outcrop sections in S Poland and S Hungary display the eustatic formation on sedimentary processes within a depositional system. evolution of shallow ramp systems. Third-order depositional sequences, Therefore, palynofacies analysis is a powerful tool in high-resolution known from Middle Triassic series of the Northern Calcareous Alps and stratigraphy and basin analysis, enabling one to distinguish between the Southern Alps and representing deposits of the Tethys shelf area, global-eustatic and regional-tectonically signatures, and also serving were detected in proximal ramp settings of the NW Peri-Tethyan realm as a modern stratigraphic method in applied sedimentology. by characteristic palynofacies signatures.

47 MORPHOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS PAR APROTOPHYLLUM PLATANACEAE IN THE CRETACEOUS FLOR AS OF NORTHERN ASIA

Lena B. Golovneva Komarov Botanical Institute RAS, St.-Petersburg, 197376, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The genus Paraprotophyllum has been established by A.B. Herman tanaceous affinity of Paraprotophyllum, because its systematic position (1984) on the basis of fossil leaves from the Sakhalin Island. The type is not clear from leaf morphology. Cuticle of Paraprotophyllum possesses species P. ignatianum (Krysh. et Baik.) Herman comes from the early such typical platanoid features as anomocytic stomata, compound hair Senonian Arcovo Formation. Later two species of this genus were de- bases and capitate trichomes, but differs distinctly from that of modern scribed from northwestern Kamchatka and the Magadan region: P. pseu- Platanus by a number of diagnostic characters. dopeltatum Herman and P. cordatum (Samyl.) Samyl. Recently, 4 new Reproductive structures associated with leaves of Paraprotophyllum species were found in the Late Cretaceous floras of Western and Eastern are not known for the present. Siberia and the Amur region (Golovneva, 2005). As a result, 7 species of During the Late Cretaceous the platanoid plants were significant Paraprotophyllum are distinguished on the basis of leaf morphology and component of lowland vegetation. The genus Paraprotophyllum was cuticle structure, that bring additional information about morphology, distributed from the Turonian up to the Campanian. The diversification anatomy and distribution of this genus and make to change the original of this genus was related to the period of the humid and warm-temper- generic diagnosis. ate climate in the Turonian-Coniacian. Paraprotophyllum species usually The leaves of Paraprotophyllm have elongated blade, truncate, cor- dominated then in the floristic assemblages. In the Santonian time the date or peltate base, acute apex, dentate margin, pinnate or pinnate- abundance and diversity of Paraprotophyllum restricted significantly palmate craspedodromous venation and 8–12 secondary veins with due to a climate aridisation. Only two species persisted up to the Cam- numerous bifurcated branches. Most of leaf features are very variable panian. within the species. The greatest variability inheres to the base shape. The distribution area of Paraprotophyllum includes the Northern Some species have even peltate base, which usually is not characteristic Asia within the Siberian-Canadian paleofloristic realm. The Paraproto- for Paraprotophyllum. Some species, however, are rather similar in their phyllum species have never penetrated into the subtropical Euro-Sinian morphology, and could be synonymous. paleofloristic realm, and have not yet been found in the temperate re- The investigation of intact cuticle of fossil leaves confirms the pla- gions of the North American continent.

DID THE SPONGIOPHYTALES POSSESS STOMATA?

Alexei V. Gomankov Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2, Prof. Popova st., 197376 St.-Petersburg, Russia

The order Spongiophytales was introduced by F. Sommer to accom- However, the investigations of O. voronejiensis by means of SEM modate some enigmatic Devonian plants of uncertain affinity. All of made me to cast doubt on the homology between pores of the Spon- them are characterized by the subramose thalli (or leafless stems) with giophytales and stomata. As in O. devonica there are several layers of the thick cuticle-like cover, which bears more or less numerous round “cuticle” in O. voronejiensis, but pores run through two layers together. holes usually called pores, about 100 µm in diameter. Belonging of the The pore in the outer layer has lesser diameter (ca. 50 µm) and is under- Spongiohytales to the vascular plants or to the algae was the subject of lain by the “plug”, which is more complicated than that in O. devonica. wide speculation throughout almost the whole 20th century. The pres- It consists of several patelliform formations embedded into each other ence of stomata (as an argument in favour of the attribution to the vas- like a roll of saucers and is quite different from any cuticular structures cular plants) was suggested for Orestovia devonica and O. voronejiensis usually observed in guard cells. The pore in the inner layer looks like known from Russia. a simple round hole situated under the “plug”, ca. 100 µm in diameter. V. A. Krassilov studied O. devonica in detail by means of SEM and re- Intact pores can be observed comparatively seldom. At the place of vealed three layers of “cuticle” in its cortex, pores having been observed the pore both layers of “cuticle” are usually turned out and torn form- only in the outer layer. Krassilov postulated homology between pores ing a rather big irregular rhomboid hole. All these structures seem to be and stomata. The “plugs” observed under the pores in O. devonica re- more likely devices for the deliverance of spores than the stomata. semble indeed the cuticle of the sunken stomatal guard cells known for One more broken layer of cells was revealed over the outer layer of some vascular plants. Besides, Krassilov has revealed immature spores the “cuticle” in O. voronejiensis. These cells are not cutinized and due to between layers of “cuticle” argumentative of the sporogenous tissue this they probably were not observed by previous authors, who had ap- not concentrated in sporangia but spread inside the whole stem (or plied rather strict conditions for the maceration of compressions. One thallus). Thus the closeness of these plants to the Horneophytales with unsunken anomocytic stoma was observed among these cells. So the the branching sporangia weekly differentiated from the stem can be as- presence of stomata may be assumed for Orestovia, but their position and sumed. morphology were quite different from those described before. Moreover, N. S. Snigirevskaya after Krassilov recognized sunken pericytic sto- the above uncutinized “epidermis” could well belong not to O. voronejien- mata in O. voronejiensis. sis but to a compression of another plant adhered to its “cuticle”.

48 MONTSECHIA VIDALII, AN EARLY AQUATIC ANGIOSPERM FROM THE BARREMIAN OF SPAIN

Bernard Gomez1, Véronique Daviero-Gomez2, Carles Martín-Closas3 and Montserrat de la Fuente4 1 Géosciences Rennes and UMR 6118, Université Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, 263 avenue du Général Leclerc, 35042 Rennes, France, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and UMR 5125, rue Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Dept. Estratigrafia, Paleontologia i Geociències Marines, Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Museo Geominero, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Ríos Rosas, 23, 28003 Madrid, Spain, e-mail: [email protected]

Montsechia vidalii (Zeiller) Teixeira is an intriguing fossil plant axes or found dispersed in the sediments. Spermatites typically shows megaremain collected from lacustrine lithographic limestones in the a distal micropyle and slightly lateral, proximal hilum. Pyrenean Basin and the Eastern Iberian Basin of Spain. Thus, M. vidalii Carpel-like bodies and leaf morphology, phyllotaxy and stomata was assigned to bryophytes, sphenophytes, conifers, and angiosperms. of M. vidalii all point to affinities within the angiosperms. In addition, Abundant specimens of M. vidalii compressions were collected from it is very astonishing that many early angiosperm, whole fossil plants the Lower Barremian of El Montsec de Rubiès (Lleida) and the Upper Bar- described, such as Archaefructus (Archaefructaceae) and Archaeanthus remian of Las Hoyas (Cuenca). They consist of slender, branched shoots (Magnoliaceae), all bear Spermatites-type seeds despite their differenc- bearing either (1) long, opposite-decussate-arranged leaves or (2) short, es in reproductive structure (multiovulate follicles) and leaf morphology helically-arranged leaves. Although both leafy axis types diverge in leaf and venation pattern. size and phyllotaxy, the very thin cuticles exhibit similar epidermal cells Otherwise, organic-rich mass accumulations, slender axes, thin cuti- and scarce stomatal apparatus. Stomatal apparatus display facing guard cles, and scarce stomata point to an aquatic habitat. One may, however, cells, around which are directly arranged undifferentiated epidermal question whether the leaf dimorphism is of biological (fertile vs. sterile), cells. Carpel-like bodies without any distinct dehiscence groove, each ecological (inundated vs. exundated) or sexual (monoecious vs. dioe- bearing a single Spermatites Miner, can be connected to the short-leafed cious) origin.

ECOLOGY AND LIFE HABIT OF SCHIZAEACEOUS FERN STACHYPTERIS FROM THE MIDDLE JUR ASSIC OF MOSCOW REGION, RUSSIA

Natalia Gordenko1 and Valentin Krassilov 1, 2 1 Paleontological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsoyuznaya ul. 123, Moscow, 117647, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mt Carmel, Haifa, 31905, Israel, e-mail: [email protected]

Our study of sporangia and in situ spores of Stachypteris psammitica crown leaves. Sporangia of Stachypteris ripened at the same time and Gordenko from the Middle Jurassic locality Peski, Moscow Region, con- caught a certain amount of Caytonia pollen as well, as if they were as firms assignment of this genus to the family Schizaeaceae s.l. The spor- close to the pollen source as the leaves of Caytonia itself. angia have an apical annulus of one or two cell tiers, and contain spores Thus, Stachypteris and Caytonia were not only members of one and resembling a dispersed morphotype Klukisporites. Stachypteris is most same plant community, but they grew in close proximity to each other, similar to Lygodium in the morphology of spore-bearing organs. and their reproduction was synchronized. The selective deposition of In Stachypteris psammitica, vessels with scalariform perforation Caytonia pollen on Sagenopteris and Stachypteris indicates that pollen plates are macerated from the vascular bundles of pinnules. Vessels are discharge in Caytonia was shielded both by its own and by Stachypteris known in few extant ferns, but are recorded for the first time in Mesozo- leaves. Caytonia is reconstructed as a large tree (Harris, 1962), whereas ic ferns. Their presence is commonly related to water stress (Schneider, Stachypteris was a slender fern that might have reached Caytonia crown Carlquist, 2000), which agrees with a xeromorphic habit of Stachypteris only if it grew epiphytically or climbed up the trunk. The features of wa- leaves. ter stress adaptation in Stachypteris psammitica, such as the xeromorphic Numerous pollen grains of Caytonipollenites pallidus type are found leaf morphology and vessels, stand in sharp contrast to a mesomorphic on and inside the open sporangia of S. psammitica. This is the more habit of Caytonia implying ample ground moisture. On the other hand, surprising that such pollen grains are rare in the dispersed pollen as- xeromorphy would agree with a climbing habit of this peculiar Meso- semblages from the same deposits. At the same time, leaf fragments of zoic fern, some of the extant taxonomic allies of which are climbers (leaf Stachypteris are associated with numerous leaflets of Sagenopteris, rep- lianas in Lygodium) as well. resenting the foliage of Caytonia plant. Caytonipollenites is commonly Thus, on combined evidence of leaf morphology, vascular anatomy, found adhering to such leaflets also. taphonomy, and the ecology of modern taxonomic allies, we suggest These findings seem to suggest that Caytonia was in leaf at the a reconstruction of Stachypteris psammitica as a Lygodium-like liana anthesis and that a considerable part of its pollen outlet settled on its climbing Caytonia trees.

49 PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHY OF THE LOWER JUR ASSIC DEPOSITS OF EASTERN SIBERIA

Anna Goryacheva Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The Lower Jurassic deposits of Eastern Siberia have been studied In the upper section of the upper part of the Tyung Formation (low- palynologically. A borehole 360 in the basin of the Vilyuy River has re- er part of the Suntary Formation) presence of dinocysts Nannoceratopsis vealed the Oruktakh, Tyung, Suntary, and the Yakutsk Formations. Paly- deflandrei subsp. deflandrei, Nannoceratopsis deflandrei subsp. senex, nological analysis of Lower Jurassic deposits has shown a sequential Nannoceratopsis spp. indicates Nannoceratopsis deflandrei Zone (Nd) change of three palynological assemblages with spores and pollen and (Upper Pliensbachian – Lower Toarcian). The acme of Nannoceratopsis four dinocyst assemblages. It was compared with the subdivisions of deflanrei subsp. senex within the Nd Zone (Suntary Formation) allows the palynostratigraphic and dinocyst scales, dated by amonite faunas. us to define the upper subzone of Nannoceratopsis deflandrei subsp. The first palynological assemblage (Lower Pliensbachian – lower senex (Nd-s), the upper boundary of which is defined by the first ap- part of Upper Pliensbachian) comprises Cyathidites spp., Stereisporites pearance of Nannoceratopsis gracilis (Ng). Besides index-species in the spp., Lycopodiumsporites spp., Tripartina variabilis, Neoraistrickia sp., Hy- assemblage of Nd-s subzone Nannoceratopsis deflandrei subsp. Deflan- menozonotriletes bicycla, Alisporites pergrandis, Dipterella oblatinoides, drei and Nannoceratopsis spp., are olso revealed. Quadraeculina sp., Cycadopites spp. The presence of Nannoceratopsis gracilis higher in the section indi- The second palynological assemblage (Upper Pliensbachian) is cates the Nannoceratopsis gracilis (Ng) Zone. The stratigraphical inter- characterised by the presence of Stereisporites spp., Uvaesporites argen- val of Ng Zone is defined between the first occurrence of index-species taeformis, Hymenozonotriletes bicycla, Camptotriletes tenellus, Cycadop- of Nannoceratopsis gracilis to the occurrence of Phallocysta eumekes, ites spp. P. elongata, Susadinium scrofoides. Stratigraphical range of Dinocyst The third palynological assemblage (Lower Toarcian) comprises Cy- Zone-Lower Toarcian. From overlying rocks of the Suntary Formation athidites spp., Marattisporites scabratus, Contignisporites problematicus, dinocyst assemblage, characteristic for the lower Phallocysta eumeces Klukisporites variegatus, Tripartina variabilis, Dictyophyllidites spp., Eu- (Ph/S-phe) subzone of Phallocysta eumeces-Susadinium scrofoides commiidites troedssonii, Classopollis spp. Zone (Ph/S) is defined. The lower boundary of the subzone coincides Dinocysts from the Oruktakh Formation are represented by sporad- with the base of Ph/S Zone, and the upper one is defined by the first ic Mendicodonium sp. According to published data, the lower bound- occurence of Nannoceratopsis triangulate. Its stratigraphical interval cor- ary of the stratigraphic distribution of species of Mendicodinium does responds to the lower part of Upper Toarcian. Besides the index-species not descend below the Upper Sinemurian. In other words, the oldest Phallocysta eumeces and Susadinium scrofoides, the dinocyst assemblage deposits from the studied section probably are no older than the Upper is characterised by the presence of Phallocysta elongata, Phallocysta Sinemurian age. spp., Susadinium spp., Valvaeodinium aquilonium.

USING LEAF ARCHITECTURE TO INFER CANOPY STRUCTURE IN FOSSIL ANGIOSPERM FLOR AS

Walton A. Green Department of Geology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

Most recent palaeoecological studies of fossil angiosperm floras are well aware of the differences in size and lobation between sun and have focussed on the estimation of ancient climates (temperatures shade leaves. Can these known differences be used to predict the un- and precipitations). Whether employing the “nearest living relative” known position in the forest canopy of a given leaf and therefore infer or “physiognomic” approaches to interpretation of leaf architecture or the growth form of the plant that bore it? Or can we say something morphology, such studies can implicitly minimize the ecological signifi- about the aggregate canopy structure of a flora from the distribution of cance of other variables like plant growth form, ecological strategy, soil leaf morphologies produced by its constituent plants? In this paper, I ex- type, disturbance regime, biotic interactions like herbivory, competition plore the available data on leaf morphology in order to determine what and mutualism, and canopy structure, all of which are known to influ- variables may allow us to predict canopy structure in modern vegeta- ence leaf morphology in modern floras. For instance, modern botanists tion and evaluate the applicability of these predictions to fossil floras.

DO DISPERSAL MECHANISMS OF PLANTS REFLECT THE ISOLATION HISTORY OF ICELAND DURING THE NEOGENE?

Friogeir Grímsson1, Thomas Denk2 and Leifur A. Símonarson1 1 University of Iceland, Earth Science Institute, Askja, Sturlugata 7, IS-107, Reykjavík, Island, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Palaeobotany, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail: [email protected]

The oldest plant fossils known from Iceland are found in sedimen- while only few may be transported over long distances (Betula and Rho- tary formations on the Northwestern Peninsula. At present there are two dodendron). Diaspores of the remaining taxa may be dispersed by ani- 15 Ma floras, one from Selárdalur valley in Arnarfjörður, the other from mals over short distances (Fagus, Aesculus; mammals), or long distances Botn in Súgandafjörður. in various ways (Magnolia and Lonicera by birds, endozoochory; Plata- Most of the taxa have diaspores that are dispersed over short dis- nus by mammals or birds, exozoochory). tances by wind (Coniferales, Cercidiphyllum, Fraxinus, Platanus, Ulmus), Terrestrial mammals from Icelandic sediments are extremely rare

50 and only a few bones belonging to a small deer have been recovered ment (all taxodiaceous taxa, Cercidiphyllum, Magnolia, Platanus, Ulmus, from early Pliocene sediments (3.5–3.0 Ma). Plant fossils indicate the Lonicera, Rhododendron) that could have reached proto-Iceland both presence of terrestrial vertebrates long before that time and it seems from the east and west. Interestingly, a considerable number of higher that the lack of terrestrial vertebrate fossils is mainly due to the unfa- taxa (Glyptostrobus, Cercidiphyllum, Aesculus, Platanus, Ulmus, Magnolia vourable conditions for calcareous bones to be preserved. etc.) were also part of the Brito-Arctic Igneous Province (BIP) floras, al- The dispersal mechanisms encountered in Middle Miocene plants though these floras are at least 20 million years older. All species found from Iceland strongly indicate that colonisation happened via land or in Icelandic sediments differ from the ones in the BIP floras, with the over short seaways. At least Fagus and Aesculus have no potential for exception of Glyptostrobus europaeus. long distance dispersal and taxa such as Ulmus, Fraxinus, and Tilia have Palaeobotanical data from Icelandic sediments indicate migration a restricted dispersal radius. Only Betula and Rhododendron would have of plants over the proto-Iceland region long after the accumulation of had the possibility to reach Iceland crossing extensive water masses. the BIP floras. It is a matter of speculation, however, how long these mi- This indicates the presence of an almost continuous land connection gration routes were available during the Neogene. Considering a sub- to either Greenland/North America or the Faeroe Islands/Europe when aerial Greenland-Scotland Transverse Ridge in this region long before 16 these taxa colonized proto-Iceland. Ma (the oldest rocks on Iceland) it cannot be ruled out that at least parts Most of the elements of the early floras from Iceland do not indi- of this flora evolved much earlier on proto-Iceland and persisted until cate a particular source area (North America/Greenland versus Faeroe the accumulation of the 15 Ma Selárdalur and Botn sediments. Islands/Europe), but belong to a widespread Northern Hemispheric ele-

MIDDLE MIOCENE FLOR AS OF ICELAND  SELÁRDALUR AND BOTN FLOR AS 15 MA: COMPOSITION, ENVIRONMENT, AND CLIMATE

Friogeir Grímsson1, Thomas Denk2 and Leifur A. Símonarson1 1 University of Iceland, Earth Science Institute, Askja, Sturlugata 7, IS-101, Reykjavík, Island, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Palaeobotany, 104 05, Stockholm, Stockholm, e-mail: [email protected]

Two floras are known from Middle Miocene Icelandic sediments, the represented by cupules and nuts and only very few fragmentary leaves. Selárdalur flora and the Botn flora. Both floras are found in the Selárda- The composition of this flora along with the sedimentary type points lur - Botn (sedimentary) Formation on the Nortwestern Peninsula, com- to the autochthonous character of the flora, where Glyptostrobus and monly known as the Westfjords. partly Sequoia could have been elements of floodplains adjacent to The most characteristic feature of the 15 Ma Selárdalur flora is the lakes. While Glyptostrobus tolerates high ground water tables, Sequoia dominance of Fagus (> 90 % of macrofossils). In general, components may have grown in slightly more elevated areas (hammocks), inter- of the Selárdalur flora are typical representatives of hardwood forests mixed with some other hardwood taxa, such as Fagus. This lowland type with a humid warm temperate appearance as found today in eastern of vegetation is likely to have merged into a hardwood forest similar to North America (Appalachians), western Eurasia (northern and eastern the one from Selárdalur. Black Sea, southern Caspian Sea), and East Asia (Japan, central eastern The pollen and macrofossil data from the Selárdalur – Botn For- China). Typical taxa are, among others, Tilia and Aesculus. The absence of mation (15 Ma) give the impression of a broadleaved deciduous and “azonal” elements that are normally confined to lake and river environ- evergreen forest with an admixture of conifers that covered mountain ments, such as Salix, Populus, and possibly Glyptostrobus in the volcanic- slopes and canyons. These forests were dominated by Fagus friedrichii, pyroclastic sediments of Selárdalur may point to the allochthonous or Tilia selardalense, Aesculus sp., Ulmus sp., Cercidipyllum sp., Platanus leu- zonal character of this flora as opposed to the coeval Botn flora (lowland cophylla, Magnolia, Rhododendron sp., and Lonicera sp. Close to the val- flora) found in lignitic sediments. The Selárdalur flora may represent ley floors elements such as Alnus sp., Salix sp., and Acer sp. became more broadleaved deciduous and evergreen (beech) forests found mainly on prominent as the groundwater level rose. In areas where groundwater well-drained slopes. was high, in valleys, around lakes and rivers, on floodplains, and in delta So far only few taxa have been recorded for the Botn flora. Of these, regions, conifers, mostly Glyptostrobus europaeus, and Alnus dominated the most prominent ones are Glyptostrobus and Sequoia, which are rep- the flora. On hammocks, alluvial plains, and well-drained lowland sites resented by vegetative and fruiting twigs, whereas Fagus here is mostly Sequoia abietina may have been more prominent.

STUDIES OF AN OLIGOCENE FLOR A FROM CENTR AL THAILAND

Paul J. Grote1 and Paladej Srisuk2 1Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand, e-mal: [email protected] 2Srisuk’s House Museum, Khao Yoi, Phetchburi, Thailand, e-mail: [email protected]

Compressions and impressions of leaves, cones, fruits, and a seed but with clusters of two and three needles, respectively. A cone of Pinus have been collected from Nong Ya Plong Basin, a small coal-bearing measured 8.5 by 3 cm with diamond to lens shaped apophyses. Addi- basin in Phetchburi Province, Central Thailand, approximately 130 km tional poorly preserved cones and a twig may show affinity to Cupres- southwest of Bangkok. The age is thought to be Late Oligocene based on saceae (s.l.). A fruit with wings extending from either side of the central vertebrate fossils and Late Oligocene or Early Miocene based on palyno- body shows affinity to Ailanthus (Simaroubaceae). A leguminous fruit logical evidence. An impression of a leptosporangiate fern pinna shows containing a single row of seeds has also been found. The presence of rounded pinnules, singly forked veins, and catadromous venation. Ad- Pinus, which today occurs at an elevation of 600 m or higher in Northern ditional poorly preserved fern pinnae were also collected. Needles of and Northeastern, but not Central, Thailand suggests a cooler climate Pinus (Pinaceae) in clusters of five reached a length of 10.5 cm with the than the present tropical climate. distal parts missing. Today, there are two species of Pinus in Thailand,

51 THE FOSSIL HISTORY OF SLOANEA L. ELAEOCARPACEAE IN EUROPE

Lilla Hably1 and Zlatko Kvaček2 1Hungarian Natural Hisrory Museum, Botanical Department, 1476 Budapest, Pf. 222. Hungary, e-mail: [email protected] 2Faculty of Science Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The earliest occurrence of the genus Sloanea in the European fossil tral Paratethys area the species is also a dominant element in the flora record is known from the Late Eocene flora of Kučlin (Bohemia). In this of Santa Giustina. Since the age of the Italian, Hungarian and Slovenian flora the genus is represented by leaf remains belonging to one species, localities is similar, Sloanea olmediaefolia is assumed to have an area at- S. nimrodi (Ettingshausen) Kvaček and Hably which is an accessory ele- taining vast extent in the central and southern regions of Europe. ment. Hereafter fossil remains of Sloanea were recorded from younger However, a new species of Sloanea, S. peolai (Principi) Hably, Tamás layers of Early Oligocene deposits in Europe. Fruit remains described and Cioppi turned up as an accessorical element in the flora of Santa as Sloanea eocenica (Rásky) Kvaček, Hably and Manchester have so far Giustina. The species was also recorded in Chiavon (Northern Italy), came to light merely from the Buda Tectonic Unit in Hungary. From the similarly in the younger layers of Early Oligocene deposits, however area of the Central Paratethys micromorphologically preserved leaves of as a dominant element. Based on our present-day knowledge, Sloanea Sloanea elliptica (Andreánszky) Kvaček and Hably represent the genus. peolai was limited to Northern Italy, thus it had a significantly more re- S. elliptica has been recorded as a dominant element in the Oligocene stricted area than S. elliptica had. deposits of the Buda and Bükk Tectonic Units, the two main tectonic From younger Oligocene deposits in Bohemia (Suletice-Berand, units of Hungary. Furthermore, the occurrence of the species has been Markvartice) and in Germany (Rott) some poorly preserved fruit remains proved also from the flora of Rovte in Slovenia. According to the revision were recorded that may belong to Sloanea. From the younger Oligocene of fossil remains of Artocarpidium olmediaefolium Unger described from of Bohemia (Žichov) another species of Sloanea, Sloanea artocarpites (Et- Socka (Slovenia) the micro- and macromorphology of these leaves cor- tingshausen) Kvaček and Hably, was described based on leaf remains. responds to the leaves of S. elliptica. Therefore, according to the priority A fossil leaf of Sloanea confirmed also with cuticule was recorded rule, Sloanea olmediaefolia (Unger) Kvaček and Hably is the new com- from the Late Miocene flora of Mataschen (Styria, Austria) as a relict ele- bination instead of Sloanea elliptica. During the Early Oligocene all the ment. three areas must have formed a part of the Palaeogene Basin, therefore Consequently, the fossil record of Sloanea in Europe ranges from the it was suggested that S. elliptica was an endemic species limited to the Eocene up to the Late Miocene. However, the area of Sloanea was limit- areas of the basin. ed to the central part of Europe. At the end of the Early Oligocene it was Quercus goepperti Ettinshausen described in the flora of Häring a dominant element of the floras in the southern part of its area (Italy, (Austria) which shows considerable similarity with the floras above, pre- Hungary, Slovenia), where Sloanea found presumably optimal climatic sumably represents also a specimen of Sloanea olmediaefolia but unfor- conditions in these regions. On the one hand, during the Oligocene tunately the cuticle is not preserved. these areas were situated much closer to each other than today and Moreover, leaf fossils of Sloanea olmediaefolia were proved in the on the other hand they occupied a position at more southerly latitudes Oligocene flora of Santa Giustina (Northern Italy). Both macromorpho- than today, namely in the tropical-subtropical climate zone. logical traits and cuticular structure of these remains correspond with This research was supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research those of the specimens from Hungary or Slovenia. Similarly to the Cen- Fund (OTKA T043327).

LATE NEOGENE VOLCANIC FLOR AS OF THE CARPATHIANPANNONIAN REGION, THEIR RELATION TO THE INTR AZONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS TO BIOSTR ATIGR APHY

Lilla Hably1, Zlatko Kvaček2, Boglarka Erdei1 and Júlia Tamás1 1 Hungarian Natural Hisrory Museum, Botanical Department, 1476 Budapest, Pf. 222. Hungary, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 2 Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Numerous volcanic floras well-dated by the K/Ar method are known hardia orsbergensis, Pterocarya paradisiaca, Carya serriifolia, Parrotia pris- from the Carpathian-Pannonian region. Pula and Gérce in Hungary, Pinci- tina, “Diospyros” brachysepala. More than 50 % of the taxa recorded in the na and Hajnačka in Slovakia are all nicely documented. The age of three Pliocene flora of Gérce are shared by the Sarmatian flora of Erdõbénye. of these fossil assemblages is more or less similar. The oldest is Pincina, On the other hand, comparing volcanic floras with coeval assem- its age is 4.90–7.15 Ma. The age of Gérce and Pula is 4.77 ± 1.8 Ma and 4.15 blages comprising elements of the intrazonal vegetation, floristic simi- ± 0.17 Ma, respectively. Hajnačka is much younger, 1.32–2.75 Ma. larity is much smaller in spite of the similarity of their age. Moreover, Regarding their floristic composition Gérce and Pula yielded nearly no floristic relation is observable in some of the cases. An example for the same assemblage. The age of these localities is quite similar, moreo- this is the Late Miocene flora of Dozmat, close in time and space to the ver, both were deposited in the same facies, in the deposits of craterlakes, volcanic floras. However, they do not share any taxa. Floras of latest Mi- and preserved in similar sediments, i.e. oil shales or alginits. These floras ocene age that comprise remains of the intrazonal vegetation provide also show similarity to the flora of Hajnačka, though, the latter is much additional examples. Assemblages that represent a swamp vegetation younger. They share several taxa, e.g. Ginkgo adiantoides, Torreya sp., Salix show no or minor similarity to the volcanic floras, whereas a higher simi- sp., Betula sp., Carpinus grandis, Pterocarya sp., Quercus roburoid type, Ul- larity is observed in the case of those that comprise riparian elements, mus braunii, Zelkova zelkovifolia, Acer integerrimum, Buxus pliocenica. some taxa are shared by them. Some taxa were recorded exclusively in At the same time these volcanic floras are similar not only to the slight- zonal vegetation types, e.g. Juniperus sp., Torreya sp., Rosa sp., Carpinus ly younger but even to the slightly older volcanic floras, i.e. the Pliocene neilreichii, and some exclusively in intrazonal vegetation types, e.g. Byt- floras of Gérce and Pula and the Sarmatian volcanic floras of Northern tneriophyllum tiliifolium, Alnus cecropiifolia, Glyptostrobus europaeus. Hungary, e.g. Erdõbénye. Taxa shared by these floras are Ginkgo adian- Nevertheless, this supports the previous point of view that floras cannot toides, Celtis trachytica, Ulmus braunii, Zelkova zelkovifolia, Populus pop- be adopted for finer stratigraphic correlations in the case of disparate ulina, Carpinus grandis, Carpinus neilreichii, Carpinus betulus foss., Quercus facies, since the facies often exerts a greater influence on the similarity kubinyii, Quercus pseudorobur, Buxus pliocenica, Acer integerrimum, Engel- of fossil floras than age.

52 PALAEOGEOGR APHY, PALAEOBIOGEOGR APHY AND EVENTS IN THE CENTR AL PAR ATETHYS DURING THE MIOCENE

Mathias Harzhauser1 and Werner E. Piller2 1 Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Geologisch-Paläontologische Abteilung, Burgring 7, A-1014 Wien, Austria, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute for Earth Sciences (Geology and Palaeontology), Graz University, Heinrichstrasse 26, A-8010 Graz, Austria

The reconstruction and interpretation of terrestrial ecosystems and migrations from the Proto-Mediterranean-Atlantic Region and endemic vegetation patterns in the Central European Miocene have to take into evolution usually fed by elements of the Proto-Caspian Sub-province account the influence of a vast landlocked water body, namely the Para- is reflected by a high turn-over rate during the geodynamical instable tethys Sea. As a northern appendage of the early Mediterranean Sea, it Middle and Late Miocene. In contrast, low extinction rates coincide with spans a north-south gradient of at least 4° latitude and has been suggest- the relatively stable development of the Early Miocene. ed to represent some kind of “palaeothermometer”, which reflected slight Five distinct Miocene faunal cycles are delineated based on 1348 expansions or restrictions of climatic belts. Due to its vulnerable marine gastropod species. Each cycle starts with immigration or endemic evo- connections it was also highly susceptible to major (global) sea-level fluc- lution, giving the faunas a “young” character. These young faunas with tuations which are reflected in phases of endemism. Hence, a fairly con- about 14–35 % “old” species soon grade into stable communities with tinuous record of marine nearshore assemblages throughout the Miocene percentages of derived species ranging around 70–80 %. This pattern reflects an extraordinary interplay of sea-level fluctuations, changes in is amplified by four extinction events and by one exceptional build-up climate, immigrations, and blooms in autochthonous elements. Whilst event. The latter, termed early-Badenian-build-up-event (EBBE) and the biostratigraphic implications of these patterns were recognised early in successive mid-Badenian-extinction-event (MBEE) coincide with high- palaeontology, a biogeographic model is still lacking. The intermingling est species-richness in the history of the Central Paratethys. A link with of palaeogeographic terms with those restricted to biogeography is still the mid-Miocene climatic optimum, allowing thermophiles to invade commonly used – a situation which can be overcome by integrating data the north, and the onset of the mid-Miocene climate transition causing from different biota into a new palaeobiogeographic scheme. the mid-Badenian decline is reliable. Foraminifers turned out to be more The development of the Central Paratethyan marine faunas allows conservative and stable. Whilst gastropods tend to recover extinctions the recognition of several important patterns. In contrast to ecologically partly by endemic evolution, foraminifers display generally less dra- and palaeogeographically stable regions, the geodynamic impact on matic turn-over rates and are less prone to endemisms (except for the the faunistic trends is exceptionally strong. The general trend of conti- Sarmatian stage). This stability and wide geographic distribution, how- nentalisation throughout the Miocene is reflected in repeated isolations ever, render Paratethyan foraminifers as a reliable biostratigraphic tool of the gradually vanishing Central Paratethys Sea. The interplay of im- for correlation with the Mediterranean and Atlantic Miocene record.

PALYNOLOGY OF THE GEIRUD FORMATION, ALBORZ MOUNTAINS, IR AN

Hossein Hashemi Tehran Teacher Training University, Tehran 15614, Iran, e-mail: [email protected]

Diverse and reasonably well-preserved palynofloras, dominated Geminospora lemurata and Retispora lepidophyta, eponymous index by terrestrial palynomorphs and microphytoplanktons, occur in sur- species, respectively, of lemurata-magnificus and pusillites-lepidophyta face samples of the Geirud Formation, southwest of Damghan, central Assemblage Zones of the Old Red Sandstone Continent (ORSC) are Alborz Mountains, northeastern Iran. Scolecodonts also occur as minor identifiable in the Geirud Formation’s palynofloras. The co-occurrence components of the study palynofloras; albeit with significant palaeon- of marine microphytoplanktons and scolecodonts collectively indicates vironmental inferences. The majority of miospores are trilete; only one an open marine, nearshore depositional setting for the Geirud Forma- monolete species is recorded. The microphytoplankton and miospore tion. The association of Geminospora lemurata and a meager, poorly data combined designate a Late Devonian (Frasnian-Fammenian) age diversified and indifferently preserved megaflora (identifiable only at for the Geirud Formation at the study section; this age designation supra-generic level as Lepidodendrales) collectively attests to the pres- generally confirms that based on faunal testimony. Of the miospore as- ence of archaeopterid progymnosperms among the contemporaneous semblages, Retispora lepidophyta is particularly useful in locating Devo- coastal vegetation. In addition, the presence of miospores assigned nian-Carboniferous Boundary palynologically in a global scale. The exit to Rhyniopsida, Cycadopsida, Zosterophyllopsida, Equisetopsida, Gin- of this morphologically distinctive species and occurrence of weathered goopsida, Lycopsida, Filicopsida, and Barinophytopsida refers to prob- sandstone at the top of the Geirud Formation in the study section col- able source of the sporae dispersae. The Geirud palynofloras share some lectively imply an erosional contact with the overlying Lower Carbonif- index palynomorphs with coeval assemblages specifically with those of erous Mobarak Formation. The Lower Ordovician Lashkarak Formation northeastern and central Iran; beyond Iran broad alliance with Australia unconformably precedes the Geirud Formation at the study section. is noteworthy.

PALAEOCLIMATIC INTERPRETATIONS OF THE GRÜNBACH FLOR A EARLY CAMPANIAN, LOWER AUSTRIA

Alexei B. Herman1 and Jiří Kvaček2 1 Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 7 Pyzhevskii Pereulok, 119017 Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 National Museum, Prague, Václavské nám. 68, 115 79, Praha 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Palaeoclimatic analysis of the Grünbach Flora using the nearest liv- qualitative and quantitative palaeoclimatic parameters experienced by ing relative (NLR), leaf margin analysis (LMA) and Climate Leaf Analysis the flora. The Grünbach Flora comes from the Grünbach Formation Multivariate Program (CLAMP) approaches allows us to reconstruct both forming part of the Gosau Group in the Grünbach – Neue Welt Basin in

53 the Eastern Calcareous Alps, Lower Austria. The Early Campanian age of caceae: Sabalites, pandans Pandanaceae: Pandanites and ferns prob- this flora is based on foraminifers, spores and pollen from the Grünbach ably belonging to the family Schizaeaceae), LMA (13 dicot species, or Formation and on the correlation of these deposits with the underlying 48 % have leaves or leaflets with entire margins) and CLAMP that the Maiersdorf and the overlying Piesting formations which contain strati- Grünbach Flora experienced a humid subtropical frost-free climate with graphically important marine fossils. hot summers and short relatively dry, but not arid, seasons. Physiogno- The Grünbach Flora comprises 53 species, representing Equise- mic analysis of the Grünbach Flora using the CLAMP technique yielded topsida (1 species belonging to Equisetites), Polypodiopsida (11 species a mean annual temperature of 15.5 °C (16 °C using LMA), a warm month belonging to genera Cladophlebis, Coniopteris, Gosauopteris, gen. nov., mean temperature of 27.5 °C, a cold month mean temperature well Marsilea., Microtaenia, Monheimia, Raphaelia and Sphenopteris, Cyca- above freezing at 3.4 °C, a growing season length of 9.1 months, a mean dopsida (1 species belonging to Nilsonia), Pinopsida (4 species belong- growing season precipitation of 1675 mm, a mean monthly growing ing to Podozamites, Geinitzia and Pagiophyllum), Liliopsida (6 species season precipitation of 184 mm, precipitation during the three consecu- belonging to Araciphyllites, Pandanites, Grunbachia, gen. nov., Sabal- tive wettest months of 751 mm and precipitation during the three con- ites, Theiaiphyllum, gen. nov., and Monocotyledon gen. et sp. indet.), secutive driest months of 352 mm. This is corroborated by lithological and Magnoliopsida (30 species belonging to genera Celastrophyllum, climate indicators (bauxites of the Gosau Group) and by the presence Compositiphyllum, gen. nov., Debeya, Ettingshausenia, Grebenkia, cf. of large foraminifers, rudists, corals and a reptile fauna in the Santonian Grevilleophyllum, Juglandiphyllites, Leguminosites, Menispermites, Myr- and Campanian of the Neue Welt Basin (Summesberger, 1997) together icophyllum, Nelumbites, cf. Pandemophyllum, Quereuxia, Rogersia, Tern- with finds of Neopsaronius tree fern trunks in the Senonian flysh of Aus- stroemites, Viburniphyllum, Dicotylophyllum, Ceratoxylon). The Grünbach tria (Vachrameev, 1991). The suggested high humidity of the climate ex- Flora includes pandans, palms and numerous angiosperms with narrow perienced by the Grünbach Flora is corroborated by the extensive coal entire-margined leaves, which, according to Vachrameev (1991), can be accumulation in the Grünbach Formation. Our CLAMP and LMA results interpreted as a flora typical of the Euro-Sinian phytogeographic region do not support the hypothesis that the Grünbach Flora existed 1000 km characterised by a subtropical climate. south of the present day position of the Neue Welt Basin. It can be concluded from the NLR approach (using palms Are-

UPPER PALEOZOIC CONIFER WHOLE PLANT RECONSTRUCTIONS, A NEW EMPORIACEAE CONIFER FROM THE HAMILTON QUARRY, K ANSAS, USA.

Genaro R. Hernandez-Castillo1, Ruth A. Stockey2, Gar W. Rothwell3 and Gene Mapes3 1 Departamento de Paleontología, Instituto de Geología, UNAM, México City, 04510, Mexico, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

The Hamilton Quarry fossil flora in Kansas is the only locality in the and papillate epidermal cells, and two to three narrow abaxial rows of world where several conifers have been described as complete plants. stomata with numerous trichome bases. Pollen cones are simple with The diversity includes three described conifers (Emporia lockardii, helically arranged microsporophylls and adaxial pollen sacs. Prepollen is Hanskerpia hamiltonensis, and Barthelia furcata), and two conifers that monolete, monosaccate (Potonieisporites Bharadwaj). Ovulate cones are are being currently described. In this paper we reconstruct one of these compound with bilaterally symmetrical, axillary dwarf shoots that have conifers as a new species of Emporia (Emporiaceae). This taxon like all numerous sterile scales, and two megasporophylls that occur in the axils the other conifers at this locality is reconstructed using morphologi- of helically arranged, forked bracts. Each megasporophyll bears a single cal, cuticular, and anatomical characters of lateral branches, pollen and terminal, inverted, and bilateral ovule. This is the only Paleozoic conifer ovulate cones with attached branches. The plant is represented by one with embryos preserved in different stages of development, and serves hundred and fifty seven compressions/impressions and permineralizat- to expand our knowledge on early conifer reproductive biology. The ed specimens of vegetative shoots, pollen and ovulate cones. This new combination of characters of this taxon is not present in any previously species of Emporia has lateral, plagiotropic branches with simple leaves, described species of Paleozoic conifers. We also present a clear set of simple pollen cones, and compound ovulate cones. Stems have an en- diagnostic characters for walchian conifers that lead to a reevaluation of darch eustele with dense wood surrounding a septate pith and second- previously proposed classifications and diagnoses for families, genera, ary xylem tracheids with multiseriate, hexagonal bordered pits. Leaves and species of the most ancient Voltziales. are amphistomatic with two adaxial stomatal bands, dicyclic stomata,

PALYNOLOGICAL WITNESS OF ALPINE MEADOW DEGR ADATION DURING THE LAST 4000 YEARS, EASTERN LUNANA, NW BHUTAN

Christa-Ch. Hofmann1 and Michael Meyer2 1 Department of Palaeontology, Geocentre, Althanst. 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Geology and Palaeontology, Innrain 52, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria, e-mail: [email protected]

The investigated area lies near Thanza village at 4 100 m.a.s.l., on the main organic mass of the peat is derived from sheath and root material southwestern flank of the Pho valley and is used by Bhutanese pastoral- of Kobresia spp. and to a lesser extent Carex. These types of relatively ists as rangeland for yaks. The vegetation today comprises rhododen- species-poor “Giant Kobresia bogs” have always been valued as good dron–juniper scrub and alpine herbaceous vegetation (e.g., Kobresia, quality and productive grazing grounds. Carex, Juncus, Thalictrum, Gentiana, and Apiaceae). One grazing ground The general decrease of TOC towards the top of the peat layer (45 % is a minerotrophic peat swamp with an approximately 80 cm thick peaty to below 5 %) reflects the deterioration of the minerotrophic peat into soil which started to grow at 4 280 bp (C14 dating) after the glacial retreat a more-or-less organic rich soil. The cause is the disappearance of peat in this area and after the Tibetan nomads removed the woody cover building plants such as Kobresia spp., due to a combination of periodic dwarf shrubs (Gaultheria, Juniperus, Cassiope) to obtain rangeland. The fires (frequent charcoal fragments), increasing grazing pressure (e.g.,

54 sheep, yaks), and periodic input of clastics (meltwater). The increase of ingia, Gentiana) and grasses (Calama-Agrostids), because of the constant grazing is clearly demonstrated by the palynological results. Two major remove of palatable plants by animals. 2. The reoccurrence and increase processes have been observed: 1. The invasion of the swamp by an in- of pioneering plants such as mosses and ferns, indicating the break up creasing amount of unpalatable weeds (e.g., Thalictrum, Senecio, Koen- and erosion of the peat surface due to overgrazing and trampling.

TAPHONOMIC IMPLICATIONS ON THE COOCCURRENCES OF PALYNOMORPHS AND DIASPORES PRESERVED IN LACUSTRINE SEDIMENTS

Christa-Ch. Hofmann1 and Barbara Meller2 1 Department of Palaeontology, Geocentre, Althanstr. 14, A1090 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Geological Survey of Austria, Neulinggasse 38, A1030 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected]

Pollen and spores and diaspores do not often occur in the same sed- are anemophilous and anemochorous (exception: Myrica). Absence or iment type or depositional locality, due to their different hydrodynamic presence of either palynomorphs or diaspores can be explained by pol- and settling behaviours. However, in cases of co-occurrence, the pres- lination mechanism/dispersal mechanism and habitat (distance from ence or absence of taxa in either the diaspore record or palynomorph source to depositional area). For example: a entomophilous pollen record in the sediment sample or depositional locality give us some grains from a plant growing in an drier area away from the depositional ideas on how the vegetation was composed in terms of distance from site have less to no chance to be preserved than the hydrochorous and the source to the depositional site. For this evaluation, the sedimentary endochorous seeds of waterplants (e.g. Caldesia, Nymphaea, Stratiotes) and the organic facies of the host sediment, the frequencies and abun- growing in the lake. Contrastingly, pollen of entomophilous water dances of the preserved taxa and their ecology (edaphic requirements, plants are produced in small amounts and are, despite that they are pollination and dispersal mechanisms) are important considerations. growing in the depositional area, rarely preserved. One exception here The case study presented here is from an Upper Miocene lacustrine is Trapa, which has been preserved as pollen and diaspore taxa. The dis- succession located in a clay pit near Fehring in SE Styria. From approxi- tance from the source to the depositional area plays an important role mately 130 taxa (over 90 palynomorph taxa and over 60 diaspore taxa) in the in the preservation of pollen and diaspores: Anemophilous pollen only 15 taxa are represented by both palynomorphs and diaspores. grains of one taxon might be preserved frequently (Pinaceae, Fraxinus, These occur most frequently in the sedimentary succession (Glypto- Pterocarya, Engelhardia, Ulmus, Platanus etc.) but not the anemochorous strobus, Myrica, Sparganium, Carpinus, Selaginella, and Alnus) and/or in diaspores, because the distance to the depositional area is too far. high numbers in individual samples (Glyptostobus, Myrica), because they

BACK FROM NEAREXTINCTION  THE FERN FLOR A OF THE MIDDLE TRIASSIC NYMBOIDA COAL MEASURES OF EASTERN AUSTR ALIA

W. B. Keith Holmes Geology Department, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 2351, 46 Kurrajong Street, Dorrigo, NSW, Australia, 2453

Following the End Permian Extinction, the flora of Gondwana was Osmundales, Filicales and one of uncertain position. Fourteen species impoverished and lacking in diversity. From eastern Australia only a few were described and two new genera, Nymbofelicia and Herbstopteris, species of ferns have been described from the Early Triassic Sydney and were erected. The second part (2003) described fern-like foliage and Lorne Basins. comprised twenty three species in twelve genera of morpho-taxa in By the early Middle Triassic the ferns of the Basin Creek Formation Order and Family incertae sedis. Ten new genera were erected includ- (K/Ar dated at 237 my) of the Nymboida Sub-Basin had staged a remark- ing Nymbopteron with four species and Nymboidiantum with three able recovery in both numbers and diversity. From extensive collect- species. Six species were placed in the widespread genus Cladophlebis. ing over a period of forty years from just two localities at Nymboida in A new species of Rhinipteris was the first Gondwana record of this genus north-eastern NSW, ferns and fern-like foliage comprised 25 % of the originally described from Greenland. The Nymboida ferns are diverse catalogued specimens. Unfortunately no cell structure is preserved so in form. In frond size they range from seven centimetres to over three all identifications have been based on the gross morphology of the oth- metres in length. The evolutionary source and migratory routes of this erwise beautifully preserved material. This fern flora has been published remarkable recovery and diversification of the ferns is open for specula- in two parts – the first (2001) included fronds with fertile structures or tion and debate. of leaves with known fern affinities and were placed in the Marattiales,

PALEOCENEEOCENE DINOFLAGELLATES FROM THE VOLGA REGION AND WESTERN SIBERIA RUSSIAN FEDER ATION: BIOSTR ATIGR APHY AND APPLICATION FOR REGIONAL PALAEOGEOGR APHY

Alina I. Iakovleva1 and Galina N. Aleksandrova1 1 Laboratory of Palaeofloristic, Geological Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevskii pereulok 7, 119017 Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Here we present an overview of comparative Paleocene-Lower Both the Volga Region (part of the former Northern Peri-Tethys) and Eocene dinoflagellate biostratigraphy of the Volga Region (South-east- Western Siberia (former West Siberian Sea) are characterised by mostly ern European Russia) and Western Siberia. non-carbonate siliclastic and terrigenous Paleocene-Eocene sedimen-

55 tation with a poor chronostratigraphic data support. While several stud- sections with well-established NW European ones. These correlations ies on the Paleocene-Eocene dinocysts from Western Siberia became suggest the early Paleocene (except the initial Danian) to early Eocene available during the last decade, palynological data on the marine Pale- age of marine deposits (probably with few hiatuses) in both Western Si- ogene of the Volga Region are limited. A recently initiated palynological beria and Volga Region. Comparison of dinocyst successions in studied study yields well-preserved dinocyst assemblages from 3 bore-holes regions with coeval NW European sections indicates marine communi- in the Volgograd and Ulyanovsk areas and sections in the Saratov area cations between Northern Peri-Tethys and North Sea Basin via West Si- (Volga Region). berian Sea and Arctic Ocean and, probably, via the western part of Peri- Successive occurrences of NW European dinocyst markers and Tethys during the Paleocene-early Eocene. events in Siberian and Volgian sections permitted to correlate these

EARLY CRETACEOUS PROTOPINACEAE IN SOUTH DOBROGEA, ROMANIA.

Eugenia Puica Iamandei1 and Stanila Iamandei1 1Geological Museum, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

Dobrogea is a Romanian region with a very peculiar geological evo- ing fossil wood coming from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian, Albian) from lution, different from the Carpathians, showing a Hercynic core coupled South Dobrogea have identified some specific Mesozoic conifers as spe- with pre-Mesozoic sedimentary formations, similar only with those from cies of Brachyoxylon, Protocupressinoxylon, Chamaecyparixylon. the Moesic Platform. The Mesozoic formations have a dominantly cal- This paper presents the paleoxylotomical study of numerous new careous character. Parts of this region have experienced regressions and petrified woods coming from the Early Cretaceous deposits from South transgressions while others were long time emerged. Some Mesozoic Dobrogea and the identification of some protopinaceous taxa on this deposits preserve a lot of fossils of marine animals but fossilized plant basis. remains as well. The presence of an arboreal association of the protopinaceous type Previous paleobotanical researches here were very few. We quote certainly indicates that the insularly landscape of Dobrogea and of the Dragastan and Barbulescu (1980) for some Jurassic plant remains, Mar- Moesic Platform was covered by arboreal vegetation and suggests for ion and Laurent, (1895) and Givulescu et al. (1980) for some Turonian this region, probably situated at 38–42° North latitude, a subtropical to plant remains. More recently Iamandei and Iamandei (1999, 2005) study- warm temperate climate (“paratropical”).

LATEST CRETACEOUS LIGNOFLOR A IN MUREŞ CORRIDOR SOUTH APUSENI MTS., ROMANIA

Eugenia Puica Iamandei1 and Stanila Iamandei1 1Geological Museum, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

During the Late Cretaceous the Mureş Corridor represented a link the study of leaf imprints and spore-pollen (Iamandei, unpublished), between the Transylvanian Basin and the Pannonian area, through the agreeing with the lignoflora and with the proposed age of the forma- southern part of the Apuseni Mts. (Carpathians) that were evolving to tions. an emerged insular area. The corresponding geological deposits includ- This paper presents some other identifications by paleoxylotomical ing often, more or less, the products of associated volcanism (laramian), study on an additional material coming from the same region, as mor- support such an interpretation. A close source and favorable conditions pho-species of the following taxa: Protopinuxylon, Laurinoxylon, Icaci- of sedimentation allowed the accumulation of numerous plant remains, noxylon, Castanoxylon, Fagoxylon, Euphorbioxylon, Paraphyllanthoxylon, especially as petrified wood within the rocks. Palmoxylon, some of them as new species. Even if the presence of the fossil wood in this region was known The paleoecologic significance of these trees and of the whole for a long time, scientific studies were sporadically made by Felix (1890), arboreal association outlined here, indicate a Mixed Mesophytic For- Lingelsheim (1917) or Petrescu and Liszkay, (1969), Petrescu and Nutu est with a lot of paleotropical members equivalent also to Oak-Laurel (1970, 1971). After these studies some taxa have been identified, as spe- forests or Lauraceae-Mastixiaceae forests, other intermediar aspects to cies of Araucarioxylon, Pinuxylon, Laurinoxylon, Perseoxylon, Plataninium, tropical forests (sensu Wang, in Wolfe, 1971), living in a warm temperate Platanoxylon, Cornoxylon, Quercoxylon Palmoxylon. Our recent papers paleoclimate (”paratropical”) within an insular region(?) with crocodiles (Iamandei and Iamandei, 1997–2005) have published a scarce associa- (Codrea, 2001, 2002), situated at 26–35° North latitude, characterized by tion with morpho-species of the following genera: Dammaroxylon, Ag- hot dry summers and short mild and wet winters. The presence of these athoxylon, Prototaxodioxylon, Telephragmoxylon, Icacinoxylon, Laurinox- floristic elements within all the latest Cretaceous continental formations ylon, Mastixioxylon, Platanoxylon, Paraphyllanthoxylon, Securinegoxylon, from Mureş Coridor gives also stratigraphical specifications regarding Palmoxylon. An interesting plant association has also been outlined by the correlation of these deposits devoid of animal fossils.

NEOGENE TETRACLINIS WITHIN CARPATHIAN AREA

Stanila Iamandei1 and Eugenia Puica Iamandei1 1Geological Museum, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

The presence of Tetraclinis within the Carpathian region (Romania) taxon was identified by leaf impressions from earliest Miocene to lat- during the Neogene was well documented by the identification of some est Pontian (Givulescu, 1954–1990) are surrounding the Transylvanian fossilized vegetative parts (Givulescu, 1997). The localities where this Basin, but it has also been found in the S and E Subcarpathians as well

56 from Mid-Miocene to Early Pliocene (Stancu and Ţicleanu, 1975). A fossil salicornioides (Unger) Kvacek, frequently identified in this region, within wood equivalent to this taxon was firstly described in the South Apuseni similar deposits as leaf impressions (Givulescu, 1997). within the late Badenian at Pravaleni, Zarand (Tetraclinoxylon romani- The presence of this taxon that has a geographically very limited cum Iamandei and Iamandei, 2000). extant life area (North Africa, extreme South of Spain and Malta) shows This form was found again within Early Sarmatian in the Eastern a more extended fossil European area, around the ancient Paratethys, Subcarpathians, at Suceava, Romania (Iamandei et al., 2004) and, more indicating for that span of time a warm temperate paleoclimate, of the recently, within the Bursuc flora (Early Sarmatian) on the right bank of mediterranean type evolving to a mild to temperate because of the the Dniester River, Moldova Republic (Iamandei et al., 2005). This paper regressive tendency of the sea, large territories remaining covered by shows the new presence of the same taxon identified in the Sarmatian lakes and marshes that obviously influenced the local environment. To from the Meridional Sub-Carpathians (Romania) and in the Pontian de- the latest Pliocene this taxon disappeared from the Carpathians, the cli- posits from Salcia (Moldova Rep.) and from the Meridional Subcarpathi- mate probably becoming excessive temperate to cold temperate. ans, Romania. It seems to be an equivalent of the fossil form Tetraclinis

NEW FOSSIL WOODS FROM THE MIDMIOCENE ZAR AND PETRIFIED FOREST, ROMANIA

Stanila Iamandei1 and Eugenia Puica Iamandei1 1Geological Museum, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

During the Miocene, the Carpathians had, within the Romanian re- Salicoxylon, Nyssoxylon, Icacinoxylon, Aceroxylon, Fraxinoxylon, so de- gion, a particular evolution as a mountainous insular area of the Central fining a Mixed Mesophytic Forest with conifers and mainly deciduous Paratethys. It was a sea with shallow waters where predominantly clastic angiosperms with few paleotropical evergreen Mediterranean forms, sedimentary deposits accumulated. Especially during the Mid-Miocene suggesting a warm and wet temperate paleoclimate, possible in that a source of detrital material was added, in relation with the triggering paleogeographic landscape of insular character at a probable North and intensification of an explosive volcanic activity within this area. latitude of 38–40°. Such sedimentary conditions born in the Apuseni Mts. were favorable This paper presents some new identifications of fossil wood from to the fossilization of a rich plant material, such was by mineralization the same region, from the same geological formation, Mid-Miocene in of wood remains. Previous researches on the fossil wood in this area age (Late Badenian). By the study of 78 samples, five taxa have been have been made by Nagy and Marza (1967), Petrescu and Nutu (1969, described (as new species of Paraphyllanthoxylon, Piranheoxylon, Sali- 1971) that showed the presence of some taxa identified as forms of coxylon, Populoxylon, Aceroxylon) and 10 taxa have been identified with Sequoioxylon, Magnolioxylon, Alnoxylon, Icacinoxylon. Our previous re- already described forms (species of Thujoxylon, Chamaecyparixylon, Cu- searches, recently published (Iamandei, 2000; Iamandei and Iamandei, pressinoxylon, Magnolioxylon, Liquidambaroxylon, Fagoxylon, Quercoxy- 1998–2005), Iamandei et al. (2004) were added there and an association lon, Rhizopalmoxylon). of 22 arboreal taxa was outlined as species of Tetraclinoxylon, Taxodi- These new identified taxa confirm our previous paleoecological, oxylon, Sequoioxylon, Pinuxylon, Magnolioxylon, Cinnamomoxylon, Pte- paleoclimatic and paleogeographic conclusions regarding this region rocaryoxylon, Eucaryoxylon, Rhysocaryoxylon, Alnoxylon, Populoxylon, of the Carpathians.

THE REGULARITIES IN EVOLUTION OF THE CORDAITEAN PLANTS AND PALAEOZOIC CONIFERS

Igor A. Ignatiev Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Pyzhevskii per., 7, Moscow, 119017, Russia

The evolution of cordaitean plants and Palaeozoic conifers repre- As S.V. Meyen (1986) assumed, the selectively neutral saltations played sented a nomogenesis – evolution determined by law, and not by mean the decisive role in the evolution of cordaiteans and early conifers. of small accidental variations (Berg, 1922, 1926, 1977). It took place in The accidental (tychogenetic) components in the evolution of the several not large endemic groups of genetically similar genera and spe- cited groups come basically to the sum of evolutionary risks, which the cies that usually regarded as natural families. In conifers such families developing groups underwent (Kryshtofovich, 1946). are Buriadiaceae, Ferugloucladaceae, Majonicaceae, Thucydiaceae, The evolution of cordaiteans and Palaeozoic conifers was determined Ullmanniaceae, Voltziaceae, Walchiaceae (al. Lebachiaceae) etc. The by law (rule) of similarity of the homological series of inherited variability: the suprageneric systematics of cordaitean plants needs in higher detalisa- more similar are the landscape-climatic conditions, the higher parallelism tion. It seems probable that more than one family should be established of inherited variability even in the genetically distant families. The special among Gondwanan and Cathasian cordaiteans. Several families could case of this law is van Steenis rule: teratological characters of the plants of be distinguished for Angaran and Euramerian forms. temperate zones are found as a norm in tropical forms. The architectural type joined the families, correspondingly, of The manifestations of this law particularly could be observed in cordaiteans and conifers in many traits was formed parallel and conver- parallel forms among the Euramerian cordaites (Cordaitanthaceae) and gently. walchian conifers [Walchiaceae (al. Lebachiaceae)], as well as in the An- The appearance of new forms, as it was proposed by L.S. Berg (1928), garan vojnovskyans (Vojnovskyales) and kunguridendrid conifers (Kun- took place by mean of regular development of the latent (recessive) gurodendroideae). characters, keeping within N.I. Vavilov’s (1920) homological series of The law of homological series similarity led to formation of the inherited variability. These series have been realized with various com- plants of certain geographical styles in gross-morphology and life form, pleteness and predominance of the certain forms, depending on envi- which could determine the physiognomy of the widespread types of ronment conditions. The realized members of the series demonstrate plant communities. An example is the cordaitean swampy forests of the the tendency to conservation (recurring reproduction) in the phyletic Late Carboniferous-Permian of Angaraland (“cordaitean taiga” of A.N. liniages (phenomenon of transitive polymorphism – Meyen, 1987). Kryshtofovich).

57 The palaeobotanical data do not support the concept (Meyen, 1984, analogues of recent plant formations of the subtropical evergreen for- 1986, 1987; etc.) of equatorial origin of the cordaiteans and Palaeozoic ests and mixed and broad-leaved forests of the temperate belt. The last conifers. At the same time intensity and amplitude of the macroevolu- is probably connected with the periodical law of geographical zonality tion processes diminished in the main from the equator to poles, giving (Grigoriev, Budyko, 1966). the secondary maxima in the areas of development of the Palaeozoic

FOSSIL SPECIES OF ACTINIDIA OF THE FORMER USSR

Irina A. Iljinskaja and Olga N. Arbuzova Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2, prof. Popov str., St. Petersburg. Russia

A revision of the material on the fossil Actinidia has been performed the Maeotian of Ukraine, and A. cf. valovii Cheleb. – in the Cymmerian in the context of preparation of the 5th volume of “Fossil Angiosperms of of Abkhazia. No modern analogs could be found for A. aperta and A. ro- Russia and Adjacent Countries“. 12 fossil species of Actinidia have been tundata, whereas the other species based on seeds and the Late Eocene accepted, of which 4 are described on the basis of leaf remains and 8 species based on leaves show a great similarity to various members of species are founded on seeds. A. aperta Balueva et V. P. Nikit. sp. nov. the section Leiocarpae Dunn, A. valovii is similar to A. venosa Rehd. from from the Novosibirsk Oblast’, A. nathorstii Baik. from the Amur Region, the section Maculata, and A. kryshtofovichii is analogous to A. chinensis and A. semenovii Budants. from Kamchatka are documented in the Late Planch. from the section Stellatae Li. Eocene, A. cf. spinosa Szafer from the Tomsk Oblast’ – in the Oligocene, Interestingly, A. aperta was documented as an element of the Polta- A. faveolata С. et E. Reid and A. argutiformis P. Dorof. sp. nov. – in the Oli- vian (after A. N. Kryshtofovich) flora (Nikitin, 2005). The data obtained gocene and Early Miocene of West Siberia, the Maeotis of Ukraine, and permit us to share D. Mai’s (1955) opinion on the genus Actinidia as being the Cymmerian of Abkhazia, A. conspicua P. Nikit. and A. rotundata Bal- of non-Arcto-Tertiary origin. A. burejensis Krysht., A. zaisanica Rajushk., ueva et V. P. Nikit. sp. nov. – in the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene of A. cf. eriantha Benth., Actinidia sp. in Ablaev, 1978, Actinidia sp. 1 and Tomsk Oblast’, A. valovii Cheleb. – in the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene Actinidia sp. 2 in Dorofeev, 1969, have been excluded from the genus of Kamchatka, A. kryshtofovichii Kutuzk. – in the Sarmatian of Northern Actinidia. The identification of A. harutoriensis Tanai in the fossil flora of Caucasus and Georgia, A. superna Negru and A. cf. purpurea Rehd – in Russia has been rejected.

PATTERNS OF VEGETATION AND CLIMATE EVOLUTION IN THE MIOCENE OF BULGARIA

Dimiter Ivanov1, A. Rahman Ashraf2, Torsten Utescher3, Volker Mosbrugger4 and Vladimir Bozukov1 1 Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, BG-1113 Sofia, Bulgaria 2 University of Tübingen, Institute of Geosciences, Sigwartstr. 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany 3 Geological Institute, Nußallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany 4 Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Senckenberganlage 25, D- 60325 Frankfurt, Germany

The Miocene is a period in earth history characterized by instability tion during the Middle and Late Miocene. In terms of palaeoecological of the climate system (as evident from stable isotope record), sea-level and palaeoclimatological interpretation of floristic data, the polydomi- variability, and changes in terrestrial biota. The opening of the Drake nant mesophytic to hygromesophytic forests of Lauraceae, Magnoliace- Passage, appearance of the circum polar current in the Southern Hemi- ae, Juglandaceae, Theaceae, Sapotaceae, Symplocaceae predominate sphere, and first Antarctic glaciations influenced the Miocene climate in the Middle Miocene. The Late Miocene flora indicates changes in system, and lead to the response of the vegetation. taxonomic composition and changes in dominant species. The species In terms of paleoflora, the Miocene reveals details of large palaeo- of Fagaceae, Ulmaceae, Betulaceae, and Juglandaceae become domi- floristic successions, expressed by reduction of macrotherm floristic nants. elements and disappearance of evergreen laurel forests together with The climate data reconstructed by the Coexistence Approach indi- simultaneous increasing in the role of arctotertiary species in plant com- cate a subtropical/warm temperate humid climate with mean annual munities, which began dominants in mesophytic forests. This process is temperature between around 17–18 °C and mean annual precipitation well documented in the flora-bearing strata from Bulgaria. The present between 1100–1300 mm. The Upper Miocene is characterised by more study summarises available palaeobotanical information and provides diverse climatic conditions, slight cooling trend, and increased season- new data about the character and peculiarities of the regional vegeta- ality.

LATE MIOCENE VEGETATION AND CLIMATE FROM STANIANTSI BASIN W BULGARIA: PRELIMINARY PALYNOLOGICAL DATA

Dimiter Ivanov1, A. Rahman Ashraf2, Torsten Utescher3, Volker Mosbrugger4, Eugenia Slavomirova1 and Vladimir Bozukov1 1 Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, BG-1113 Sofia, Bulgaria 2 University of Tübingen, Institute of Geosciences, Sigwartstr. 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany 3 Geological Institute, Nußallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany 4 Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt, Germany

The Bulgarian Neogene represents a regional key position in terms graphic smooth transition between the Tethys and the Paratethys area. of comprehending the evolution of the recent Mediterranean and steppe The profile of the Staniantsi opencast (W Bulgaria, Staniantsi Basin) vegetation and their climatic boundary conditions because of its geo- reveals in its lower part approximately 30 m of brown-coal, which are

58 dated by mammal fauna as upper Maeotian to Pontian. Above, there fol- A profile section, 69 m in thickness, was measured and palyno- lows up to 50 m massive, fine and coarse clastic cover layers most prob- logical samples were analyzed. Terrestrial vegetation is reconstructed ably pertaining to the Pontian/Pliocene. The covering strata often give by means of palaeoecological analysis. Detailed, quantitative climatic evidence of raised carbonate contents. The browncoal seam displays records for various temperature and precipitation parameters are ob- thin cycles with alternating amounts of brown-coal and clay represent- tained using the Coexistence Approach. ing cyclic changes from lacustrine to palustrine facies conditions.

VEGETATION AND CLIMATE CHAR ACTERISTICS OF THE LATE MIOCENE IN WEST BULGARIA: POLLEN DATA FROM THE BELI BREG BASIN

Dimiter Ivanov1, A. Rahman Ashraf2, Torsten Utescher3, Volker Mosbrugger4, Eugenia Slavomirova1 and Vladimir Bozukov1 1Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. 23, BG-1113 Sofia, Bulgaria 2University of Tübingen, Institute of Geosciences, Sigwartstr. 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany 3Geological Institute, Nußallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany 4Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt, Germany

First results of palynological studies on Neogene freshwater depos- a dense forest cover existed in the study area while the distribution of its of the Beli Breg Graben (West Bulgaria, SE Europe) are presented. The grasslands and open landscapes was limited. Minor importance of xero- basin is located about 50 km west of the city of Sofia, and is a part of phytic plants observed in the pollen spectra does not allow to assume the Sredna Gora tectonic unit in West Bulgaria. We have analysed pollen a Mediterranean type climate. and spores from sediments of core 670, drilled in the eastern part of coal The climate data reconstructed by the Coexistence Approach indi- basin, aiming to obtain data about composition and structure of fossil cate a warm temperate climate with mean annual temperatures around vegetation and climate conditions. The main vegetation palaeocom- 16 °C, and favourable climate conditions during the cold season, with munities, which existed during the fossilization process, are character- temperatures of at least 4 °C. With annual precipitation rates commonly ized as mixed mesophytic and swamp forests, communities of aquatic above 1000 mm climatic conditions were all over humid, partly season- plants, and herbaceous palaeocoenoses. Floristic data evidence that ally drier conditions are evident from the data.

MENISPERMACEAE FOSSILS AROUND THE WORLD

Frédéric M. B. Jacques1 and Dario De Franceschi1 1Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Département Histoire de la Terre CP 38, UMR 5143-USM 0203 “Paléobiodiversité et Paléoenvironnements”, 8 rue Buffon, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France, e-mails : [email protected], [email protected]

The oldest fossils of Menispermaceae (Ranunculales) are known a few species. During the Early Cenozoic the family was present very by a few specimens from Central Europe. The diversity of the family in- far to the North, even until Alaska, so it was more widespread than to- creases at the end of the Paleocene and reached its maximum in the day. The pattern of genera distribution appears to have been also quite fossil record during the Early Eocene in Europe (Lodon Clay, Paris Basin) different with, for example, recent taxa from Asia found in American and the Middle Eocene in United States (Clarno Beds). In the Neogene, Eocene. the most important outcrop for Menispermaceae is Rusinga Island The fossils of Paleogene show that the extant diversity of the Men- (Kenya, Miocene); but some specimens are still found in Europe until ispermaceae was established very early, with some of Paleocene fossils the Pliocene. Asia also revealed a few specimens from Paleocene to Mi- belonging to extant genera. At the middle latitudes, there is a distortion ocene. We present here a review of all known outcrop that have given in favour of some tribes (Tinosporeae and Menispermeae). Taphonomy or Menispermaceae. ecology could explain this distortion. A phylogeny of the family allows Nowadays the Menispermaceae are tropical or subtropical, except addressing the Menispermaceae paleobiogeography.

LATE GLACIAL AND EARLY HOLOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL RECORD FROM LAKE SEDIMENTS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

Vlasta Jankovská1, Petr Pokorný2 and Petr Libor3 1 Institute of Botany, Academy of the Sciences of the Czech Republic, Poříčí 3b, CZ-603 00 Brno, e-mail: [email protected] 2Institute of Archaeology, Academy of the Sciences of the Czech Republic, Letenská 4, CZ-118 01 Praha, e-mail: [email protected] 3Charles University in Prague, Department of Botany, Benátská 2, CZ-128 01 Praha 2, e-mail: [email protected]

For palaeoecological investigations, lake sediments are very im- past. Natural lake biotopes are rare in the Czech Republic. Five lakes of portant. This is due to a number of proxy-data that can be extracted glacier origin are present in Bohemian Forest Mts. (Šumava). One of them, from them. Traditional approaches involve pollen, plant macrofossils, Plešné Lake was recently studied from point of view of pollen analyses, Cladocera, diatoms, and sediment composition analyses. Little atten- sediment chemistry, palaeolimnology etc. Another ice-thaw lake with tion has so-far been kept on analyses of the green algae flora, which more than 12 meters thickness of sediments has been quite recently is often present in pollen slides. Nevertheless, as demonstrated in case evidenced in the Labský důl Valley in Giant Mts. (Krkonoše). More lakes of five individual lakes in Bohemia, it can bring important results about were present in the periglacial lowlands of the Czech Republic during water trophy and temperature conditions in water environment in the the Late Glacial, most of them being filled-in during the Middle and Late

59 Holocene. Situated in the piedmont of the Ore Mts. (Krušné hory), the with great potential for special human subsistance strategies (fishing, largest of Czech lowland lakes was Komořanské jezero Lake. Its origin was birds and mammals hunting, gathering of edible water plants), lowland tectonic and it was supplied by cold, running waters from the nearby lakes attracted occupation during the whole prehistory. In the case of mountain range. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the last century dur- Švarcenberk Lake, human impact is detectable from pollen assemblages ing extensive coal mining. In central Bohemia, the Hrabanovská černava and from microscopic charcoal in Early and Middle Holocene. Palaeo- Lake originated as a shallow lake in the basin dammed by a dune of aeo- lithic and mesolithic settlements were found also around Komořanské lian sand. South-Bohemian Švarcenberk Lake established around 16.000 jezero and Řežabinec Lakes. BP as a thermokarstic feature and contains high-resolution record of the The research was supported by grants GA ČR – 205/06/0587 and GA Late Glacial period. Many small lakes originated in abandoned meanders AV ČR – KJB 6111305. of the rivers. Some of them were studied palaeoecologically. As biotopes

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PROTOLEPIDODENDRON SCHARIANUM KREJČÍ 1880 EX KR ÄUSEL ET WEYLAND, 1929 FROM THE GIVETIAN OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Aleftina L. Jurina1 and Marina G. Raskatova2 1 Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Voronez State University, Voronezh, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Herbaceous lycopod Protolepidodendron scharianum was described preserved P. scharianum and samples for palynological analysis from lo- in 19th century from the Devonian of Central Bohemia by Krejčí (1880). calities: Hostim-classic (Zastávka č. 9; Geologická Naučná Stezka), Hos- The the name of the genus and species, suggested by J. Krejčí is widely tim village house № 27, Hlubočepy. The spores’ assemblage, described used. However, some of researchers (Bonamo et al., 1988) pointed out by M.G. Raskatova, is characterized by the presence of morphotypes invalidity of the generic and specific names by Krejčí and considered from zones Rhabdosporites langii and Geminospora extensa (Late Eife- first valid publication by Kräusel and Weyland (1932). A.L. Jurina and lian-Early Givetian age). O.A. Orlova (2005) showed, that according to the articles 42.1, 46.5 of the All studied P. scharianum specimens are represented by small frag- International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (1996), correct spelling of ments of sterile rarely once branched axes. The axes range from 25 to authors must be: Protolepidodendron Krejčí (1880) ex H. Potonie, 1921; 100 mm in length and from 1.5 to 3 mm in diameter. Some of them are P. scharianum Krejči (1880) ex Kräusel et Weyland, 1929. leafy. The material is preserved as compressions, occasionally with coaly A remarkable collection of P. scharianum specimens, which is kept matter. The rate of preservation is quite satisfactory. The presence of in the National Museum of Prague, was collected by such great Czech five tips on the leaf in the holotype and in other exemplars from the scientists as J. Barrande, F. Prantl, F. Nĕmejc, I. Chlupáč, R. Růžička and National Museum, as well as in specimens, collected by Jurina, was not others during 150 years. From times when J. Obrhel (1959, 1960, 1961) confirmed. In majority of the specimens the leaf tips are broken; we described Czech specimens of P. scharianum passed more than 50 years. could not find in whole leaves any evidence of more than one division Revision of this material, under new angle of view, is needed. In the (only simple bifurcation in the midpoint was observed). We studied cu- National Museum, Prague we studied about 50 specimens of P. schari- ticle of axes and leaf bases in some P. scharianum exemplars from the anum from localities Srbsko and near Srbsko, Hostim, Karlstejn, Choteč, Hostim-classic. Stomata on the stem are slightly sunken and scattered, Hlubočepy from the Givetian Srbsko Formation (Jurina, 2005). We gave widely elliptical in plane, anomocytic. Some of stomata are interrupted much attention to the holotype and further material described by J. by fungi. The length of stomata is about 15 µm. They resemble that in Obrhel (1961). Jurina, in 2002–2005 years, collected specimens of well allied Middle Devonian genus Leclercqia.

PALEOVEGETATION CHANGES SINCE LAST GLACIATION RECORDED BY POLLEN DATA FROM THE LUBANS PLAIN, EASTERN LATVIA

Laimdota Kalnina University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, 19 Rainis Blvd, Riga, LV-1586, Latvia, e-mail: [email protected]

The Lubans Plain, an approximately 110 000 ha area, occupies the charcoal particles accompanied by Cerealia pollen suggest agricultural central part of the Eastern Latvia Lowland, eastern part of Latvia. It is activities in the area. famous for its Mesolithic and Neolithic settlements. Nowadays it is mor- The human activities in the territory of Latvia and also in the Lubans phologically and geobotanically homogenous plain – flat, monotonous, Plain have been reflected in pollen diagrams from the end of Boreal. In covered by bogs, and very rich in evidences of the ancient cultures. the composition of the herb pollen appear some representatives of the Besides the direct archaeological studies and evidences of the ma- indicators of human impact such as Rumex, Ranunculaceae, Brassicace- terial culture, pollen analyses of sediments and cultural layers were car- ae, and Plantaginaceae. The first remarkable presence of Cerealia pollen ried out here with aim to determine paleovegetation changes since last (probably Hordeum) accompanied by weeds, ruderals, etc. (Viola tricolor, glaciation. Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosella, Chenopodiaceae, Cannabis, Ur- The paper will present the main results on natural landscape devel- tica, Vicia, etc) and other pollen evidence suggesting human influence opment after the retreat of glacier about 13 000 years ago and cultural is observed in the sediment samples formed about 5 500 years ago (Eini landscape history drawn from a pollen analytical investigations of the site). lake and bog sediments from the different places at the Lubans Plain. New palynological data and studies in the area demonstrate in de- Microscopic charcoal particles have been analyzed (expressed in tails vegetation development and increasing human impact. Both vege- area pollen grain) with aim to find records reflecting the intensity of tation and human activities developed unevenly, following step by step fires in area. As indicated by the pollen diagrams the fires started at the water table changes in the Lubans Lake Basin. Boreal Time, when dominance of the coniferous pollen is observed. Lat- Data of the pollen studies indicate: i) Vegetation changes from ter, since middle part of the Atlantic Time appearance of microscopic periglacial light-demanding and arctic plant communities to the early

60 Holocene Betula-Pinus forests, then to broadleaved forests with Quer- Changes in the vegetation composition and landscape character were cus-Ulmus-Tilia-Carpinus, back to coniferous forests during the Subbo- promoted by climate changes rather than by human activities; iv) Land- real and Picea-Pinus-Betula dominance during the Subatlantic Period; scape became a mosaic only close to settlements; v) Human occupation ii) Start of the fill-in of the Lubans Lake shallow bays is dated to the left the study area at the end of the Subboreal Time, when area of peat- second part of the Atlantic Time, when Neolithic occupation arrived. lands increased. Broadleaved forests grew in the surrounding areas at the same time; iii)

LEAFY SHOOT  PHYLLOCLADE TR ANSITION IN PERMIAN GYMNOSPERMS

Eugeny Karasev1 and Valentin Krassilov1, 2 1 Paleontological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia, 117647 Moscow, Profsoyuznaya 123, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mt Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel, e-mail: [email protected]

Compressions of gymnospermous plant remains with thick well- ness of the facial leaves vary along the shoot and on both sides of it. The preserved cuticle from the Upper Permian of Sokovka, Orienburg Re- leaves can be fairly distinct as two rows of hemispheric protuberances gion, the Fore-Urals appear as bipinnate fronds with elliptical or lingu- on the adaxial side, but connate and appearing as a broad flap on the late pinnules, comparable to Lepidopteris, a widespread leaf-genus of abaxial side. The facial leaf cushions of the opposite rows are completely the latest Permian-Triassic peltasperms. Yet the remains are highly vari- fused, forming a single row of transversely stretched convex polygonal able, showing transitions from the leaf-like to the shoot-like morpholo- scars. gies. The intermediate morphotypes are planate plagiotropous shoots The cuticle structures are similar on the leaves and the leaf cushions. with scale leaves that are laterally fused with each other and with their The ordinary cells are polygonal to elongate, with strongly ridged slight- subtending lower order leaves, sheathing the axes. ly flexuous anticlinal walls. The stomates are scattered, irregularly ori- The compressions were removed from the rock and mounted on ented, of small guard cells surrounded by an irregular ring of 5–6 radial SEM tubs first one then another face up, thus revealing differences be- non-papillate encircling cells, occasionally intruded by an ordinary cell. tween the abaxial and adaxial aspects. It was found thet ultimate units of Florin rings are well developed. On cuticular evidence, the phylloclades frond-like specimens, appearing as lateral pinnules, are, in fact, short ter- are related to both the Permian voltziaceous conifers and Tatarina- Lepi- minal branchlets showing oblique sutures of connate leaves rather than dopteris type peltasperms. The peculiar axial scales of Lepidopteris are, venation. They are elliptical, 1–1.5 mm long, broadly smoothly rounded thereby, interpreted as the rudiments of facial scale leaves. or occasionally minutely notched on the tips. The sutures are variously On the basis of such transitional morphologies, we postulate prominent, sometimes obliterated and scarcely discernible in surface cladodic origins of peltaspermous leaves and confirm the opinion (Mey- view, but marked by thick ridges on the interior side of the cuticle. From en, 1987) that the Permian conifers and peltasperms might have been these observations, the ultimate units were formed of a pair of lateral closely related. Progenitorial relationships to the Mesozoic Hirmerel- leaves clasping the terminal leaf and fused to it for their whole length. laceae (‘Cheirolepidiacea’) are postulated on account of morphological Each ultimate unit is subtended by a lateral leaf of penultimate axis, and cuticular similarities, the anisotropy of the abaxial and adaxial faces, fused to it and sutured by a nearly transverse line. The facial leaves of and the planation/fusion tendency over the scaly shoot – phylloclade penultimate axis are arranged in two subopposite rows. The distinct- transformation.

THE PLEISTOCENE EVOLUTION OF VEGETATION ZONALITY IN THE RUSSIAN FARFAST ACCORDING TO PALYNOLOGICAL DATA

Inessa A. Karevskaya Departament of Geography, Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Research territory stretches from north to south at the distance of ern Priokhotie. In the following epoch of the rise of temperature, the zone 2000 km. It is divided into 5 landscape subzones from tundra to the differenciation of paleolandscapes approached to the modern one. southern taiga. Each of the six cold epochs, as well as the epochs of the rise in tem- Vegetation differentiation was weakly expressed at the Russian Far- perature, were distinguished by climatic and phytoassembleges fea- East in the final stage of the Pliocene. The forest formations of humid tures, that are reflected in the specifity of the landscapes zone structure climate occupied the North-Western Priokhotje, Kolyma and Indigirka of the reserch area. basins. The wide spreading of steppe vegetation in the South-Western During two most ancient cold oscillations of the Pleistocene, the Priokhotje, in the Lantaro-Nemujsk depression, at the Juge-Jure moun- whole area was located in the temperate climatic belt. Northern and the tain range and in the North-Eastern part of the Amur basin was estab- middle taiga dominated in vegetation. lished. The continentality, aridisation and coolness of climate over the The first main cold climatic oscillation began at the end of the Mid- south part of the research territory established. dle Pleistocene. It was the main boundary in the vegetation zones dif- Warm epochs of the early Pleistocene and the beginning of middle ferenciation: from well-grown shrubs tundra with larch and birch forests Pleistocene are characterized by weakly expressed zonal structure. The in the north, and northern taiga forests of the West Priokhotie – to the homogeneous forest formations similar to the present southern taiga middle spruce and larch taiga forests with the broad-leaved taxons in were spread almost everywhere, except the most northern edge of the the near Priamurie. region. The forest formations of northern taiga expanded at the north- Cold oscillations of the Late Pleistocene were very deep and com- ern part of Kolyma River basin. bined with strongly continental climate. It was conducted by the maxi- At the beginning of the Late Pleistocene, articulation of subzone of mum Pleistocene spread of subarctic and typical tundra vegetation. the northern larch forests has been finished in Kolyma-Indigirka region. “Tundra-steppe” played the main role (dominated in the North) in land- These forests on the South of Okhota-Kuhtuy depression was changed to scapes of cool-dry stage of two cold half-rhythmes. Subarctic conditions a northern- and middle taiga, and south taiga forests in the South-West- achieved the Near Priamurie area during that time.

61 BIOSTR ATIGR APHICAL STUDY OF THE OLIGOMIOCENE IN THE MUĞLAOREN AND MUĞLAYATAĞAN REGIONS, WESTERN ANATOLIA TURKEY

Mine Sezgül Kayseri and Funda Akgün Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Geology, Buca-Kaynaklar-Izmir, Turkey, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

In this study, it is aimed to define the palynostratigraphy and pal- detailed section measurements of Oligo-Miocene sediments from the aeobotany of Muğla-Yatağan and Milas-Ören basins. There have been best observed places, collection of fossil and rock samples, formation a lot of stratigraphic and tectonic studies made to solve the forming of Oligo-Miocene sediments biostratigraphy of Ören basin by paleon- mechanism of the western Anatolia. According to these studies, the ba- tologic observation and lastly the palaeogeographic explanation of the sins carried on the Likya naps form the Oligo-Miocene basins in western environment. Biostratigraphic parameters consist of foraminifers, mam- Anatolia. Previous study recorded that the Kale-Tavas basin was one of malians, leaf fossils and palynomorphs. these basins and the age of the basin was Late Oligocene-Early Miocene Muğla-Yatağan basin is one of the most widespread regions in Neo- by using the palynostratigraphy of the sediments in the Kale-Tavas ba- gene period in Western Anatolia. There are two reasons for studying sin. In the recently made studies, the marine and terrestrial sediments Muğla-Yatağan basin. These are presence of undefined palynological and of the Ören basin are accepted as Oligo-Miocene because of the gastro- palaeobotanic properties for Muğla-Yatağan basin and the acceptance of pods and foraminifer content of the marine sediments. In the previous Muğla-Yatağan and Milas-Ören basins as parallel basins in recent studies. studies, based on this age it is suggested that Ören basin was formed Correlation of the sporomorph assemblages and leaf fossils collect- at the same time with Kale-Tavas basin. As it has been in the Kale-Tavas ed from Muğla-Yatağan and Milas-Ören basins is aimed. And also the basin, the sediments of Ören basin are also coal bearing which are not other object for this study is shedding light on studies in regional scale studied palynologically. For these reasons, the sediments of Ören ba- by using age and properties of these basins. sin have been the subject of the study. The followed steps are making This study is supported by TUBITAK (YDBAG 104Y297).

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF THE EARLY, MIDDLE AND EARLY LATE MIOCENE BASED ON RESULTS OF COEXISTENCE APPROACH IN TURKEY

Mine Sezgül Kayseri1, Funda Akgün1, Ecmel Erlat2 and Angela A. Bruch3 1 Dokuz Eylül University Department of Geological Engineering, Buca-İzmir, 35160,Turkey, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Department of Geography, Ege University, Bornova-İzmir, Turkey, [email protected] 3 Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325, Frankfurt, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

There are a lot of Neogene basins in Turkey and most of these ba- over the central and west side of the Anatolia.. We may conclude at that sins are studied palynologically. In this study, fossil plant associations palaeotopographic conditions especially altitude and orography would of from Western and Central Turkey have been analysed for climate re- lead to these differences. construction by using the Coexistence Approach method. This method Coal-bearing terrestrial areas during Middle Miocene period have calculates climatic parameters such as mean annual temperature (MAT), been widespread. Values of MAT, CMT and WMT had decreased during mean temperature the coldest month (CMT), mean temperature of the Middle Miocene period in Western and Central Turkey. During Mid- warmest month (WMT) and mean annual preparation (MAP). Addition- dle Miocene period the annual temperature amplitude vary between ally, the mean annual range of temperature (MART) as the difference be- 10.9 °C (Amasya) and 24.9 (Kütahya and Isparta). The higher values of tween WMT and CMT has been taken into consideration. Climatic maps MART over the western and central regions of the Anatolia (Ankara, Is- of Early, Middle and early Late Miocene have been formed. parta and Kütahya) are very likely linked to continental conditions dur- Today, climatic conditions can be explained firstly by atmospheric ing Middle Miocene period. However, MART values from Çankırı-Çorum circulation, the latitude, the altitude and physico-geographical factors basin and Konya, Kırşehir regions decrease during Middle Miocene pe- /orography, the land-sea interactions (distance from the sea). Especially riod. This decreasing is connected with the geographical differentiation the altitude and orography produces a great regional variety of climate of Middle Miocene period. over short distances and plays a crucial role in the spatial distribution of The early Late Miocene data for MAT, CMT, WMT and MAP point to the climatic conditions. In Turkey, annual temperature amplitude distri- a slight palaeoclimatic differentiation with lower values in Western and bution (MART) increase today from coastal belts (14.5 °C Hopa station on Eastern Turkey. Generally, in the early Late Miocene, the spatial variabil- the Black Sea coast) to the interior regions in particular over the eastern ity increased. The decreasing of the MAP values of lower boundaries for and northeastern portions of the Anatolian Peninsula in where altitude early Late Miocene period has been clearly observed. This decrease had is mostly over 1000 m. (32.6 °C at Muş station in the Eastern Anatolia re- caused the extending of open vegetation areas. gion). Concluding, temperature values of the Miocene period have been Coal bearing basins of Early Miocene are less numerous and these higher than values of the recent time. Changes in seasonal temperature basins are generally located in Western Turkey. Based on result of the distribution can be explained by the palaeotopography of that time. Coexistence Approach method, it seems to be evident that mean an- Moreover, regional differences of temperature values are increased end nual temperature was generally higher and temperatures were different of the Miocene period.

62 PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHY AND PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY OF THE ERMENEK AND MUT REGIONS SOUTHERN TURKEY IN THE EARLIEST OLIGOCENE PERIOD

Mine Sezgül Kayseri1, Funda Akgün1, A. Ilgar2, Ş. Yurtsever2 and S. Derman3 1 Dokuz Eylül University Department of Geological Engineering, Buca-İzmir, 35160, Turkey, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), 06520 Ankara-Turkey, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 3 Turkish Petroleum Corporation, Mustafa Kemal Mahallesi 2. Cad. No: 86 06520-Ankara, Turkey, e-mail: [email protected]

This study is a palynostratigraphic and palaeoclimatologic synthe- ium hirsutum, Pentadinium sp., Thalassiphora cf. patula and Spiniferites sis of palynological researches on the earliest Oligocene lignites of the pseudofurcatus defined in this assemblage. Both samples of Ermenek Ermenek basin in Karaman-Konya region and Mut basin Icel-Mersin re- region and Mut region are indicative of earliest Oligocene age. gion, (Southern Anatolia). Palynological data obtained from the lignites In the earliest Oligocene of Ermenek and Mut basins, the climatic bearing sediments of in these basins. Samples of coal and claystones conditions indicated by the fossil sporomorphs record should be char- in the Ermenek basin contained rich sporomorphs, which consisted acterized as warm temperate. Climatic interpretation from the earliest of Pityosporites microalatus, Inaperturopollenites hiatus, I. magnus, Tria- Oligocene in Southern Anatolia is reconstructed by applying the coex- triopollenites exelsus, Plicapollis pseudoexelsus, Caryapollenites simplex, istence approach to the Oligocene palynoflora. The obtained results are Polyporopollenites undulosus, Compositoipollenites microechinatus and correlated with the data derived from the published palynological study Intratriporopollenites instuructus. Sporomorph assemblage of the Mut in central Anatolia by application of the coexistence approach. The cal- region composed of Subtriporopollenites anulatus, Caryapollenites sim- culated coexistence intervals results of Ermenek region in a mean an- plex, Spinozonacolpites prominatus, Slowakipollis hipophaeoides, Cuph- nual temperature (MAT) of 15.6–20.8 °C, and temperatures of the coldest anieidites eucalyptoides, Triatriopollenites exelsus, Compositoipollenites (CMT) and warmest months (WMT) with 5.5–13.3 °C and 27.3–28.1 °C and microechinatus, Tetracolporopollenites sapotoides and Arecipites spp.. 887–1520 mm for the mean annual precipitation (MAP). Quantitative re- Moreover, dinonoflagellate cysts such as Cleistophaeridium sp., Cor- sults of the Mut region show that the values for the MAT are between dosphaeridium cf. inodes, Hystrichocolpoma rigaudae, Impagidinium sp., 15.6 and 17.4 °C, 7.7–8.3 °C for the CMT, 27.0–28.1 °C for the WMT and Linguladinium machaerophorum, Nematosphaeropsis sp., Operculadin- 1122–1151 mm for the MAP.

PALYNOLOGICAL AND FAUNAL INVENTIONS OF THE OLIGOMIOCENE PERIOD IN THE MUĞLAKULTAK REGION, WESTERN ANATOLIA TURKEY  PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Mine Sezgül Kayseri1, Funda Akgün1, T. Kaya2 and S. Mayda2 1 Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Geology, Buca-Kaynaklar-Izmir, Turkey, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Ege University, Department of Zoology, 35100 Bornova- Izmir, Turkey, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

In this study, Kultak region is located on the north of the Gökova Ancylotherium (Metaschizotherium) fraasi (Koenigswald), Tethytragus Gulf and two stratigraphical sections are measured in this region. In the koehlerae (Azanza and Morales, Gomphotherium angustidens (Cuvier), study area, the basement is represented by Mesozoic grey recrystallised Brachypotherium brachypus (Lartet) and Tethytragus koehlerae. Mamma- limestones. The basement unconformably lies on clastic sediments lian fossils suggested early Middle Miocene age (Orleanian/Early Astara- which consisted of sandstones, marl and marine limestones. These cian). The small number of mammalian fossils permits some restricted limestones include abundantly corals, lamellibranches and microfossils. indications for a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Anchitherium This marine sedimentary sequence is conformably overlied by the sand- has low-crowned teeth, and represents a forest biotope. The lophodont stones, marl and coal bearing sediments. Upper part of these sediments teeth of Ancylotherium indicate the involvement of leafy trees and the vertically and horizontally passed to the coarse conglomerates which animal is restricted to forest environments. Tethytragus is a very ubiqui- included mammalian fossils. tous bovid. The morphological characteristics of this species indicate an Collected coal samples of the Kultak region are studied palynologi- open country. Bunolophodonty, which is the main feature of G. angusti- cally and Dicolpopollis kalawensis, Subtriporopollenites anulatus, Com- dens, is considering to be an adaptation for folivory/frugivory. These di- positoipollenites minimus, Triatriopollenites exelsus and T. pseudoexelsus etary preferences indicate woodland or forested areas. Brachypotherium of pollen species are defined in these samples. According to these spe- brachypus was a short-legged animal of hippo-like proportion and con- cies, the coals of Kultak regions are Oligocene in age. Upper part of the sidered to be a marsh or lake dweller. coal bearing sediments, consisted of the conglomerates, is defined by This study is supported by TUBITAK project (YDBAG 104Y297) and mammalian fossils such as Anchitherium aurelianense hippoides (Lartet), BAP project (04.KB.FEN.031).

THE DEVELOPMENT OF PINNULES, PINNAE AND FRONDS IN LATE PALAEOZOIC AND MESOZOIC PTERIDOSPERMS

Hans Kerp1, Birgit Vörding1 and Michael Krings2 1 Forschungsstelle für Paläobotanik, Geologisch-Palaeontologisches Institut, Hindenburgplatz 57, 48143 Münster, Germany 2 Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Richard-Wagner-Straße 10, 80333 München, Germany

Advanced preparation techniques made it possible to macerate characteristic cell patterns. Upper cuticles of pteridosperm pinnules of- entire pinnules, large pinna fragments and sometimes even up to 8 cm ten show a very clear differentiation in different cell types. Apart form long pinnate frond segments. Entire pinnules and pinna segments show a differentiation onto costal and intracostal fields, complete pinnules

63 often show a differentiation into a central part of the pinnule and and more stages. When stomata are present and pinnules develop in several an outer zone. Cells of the central part of the pinnule usually differ from stages, stomata often indicate the successive growth stages. A compar- those in the outer in their shape, size and/or the cutinisation of the anti- ison of upper and lower cuticles of individual specimens show that this clinal walls. The boundary between the central part of the pinnule and growth pattern is less clear on the side of the lower pinnule. the outer zone is often clearly to be seen. When stomata are present on Also pinna axes often show a clear differentiation into zones with the upper pinnule surface, also differences in the arrangement and den- smaller isodiametric cells alternating with (usually more extended) sity of the stomata can be seen. This epidermal differentiation apparent- zones with elongated cells. Observations of larger pinnae indicate that ly reflects the development of the pinnules. Several groups of late Pal- this pattern is also ontogenetically determined. Compressions of imma- aeozoic and Mesozoic pteridosperms, i.e. callistophytes, peltasperms, ture fronds further contribute to our understanding of the development corystosperms and probably also medullosans, show a similar pattern. of pteridosperm fronds. Because the distribution of stomata is deter- The inner zone is here interpreted as the primary pinnule. When the pin- mined the growth pattern and a good understanding of the ontogeny nules develop further, the cells of the inner zone increase in size, mar- of pteridosperm pinnules is essential for palaeophysiological studies. ginal meristems become active and the outer zone develops in one or

HOLOCENE EVOLUTION OF MANGROVE VEGETATION AT CHILK A LAKE, ORISSA, INDIA IN RELATION TO POLLUTION AND ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT

Asha Khandelwal1, Mohanti Manmohan2, Burkhard Scharf3 and Dieter W. Zachmann4 1 Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226007, India 2 Department of Geology, Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar-751004, India 3 Emmericher Str. 27 D-46286 Dorsten-Rhade, Germany 4 Department of Environmental Geology, Technical University of Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany

The Chilka Lake lying along the eastern coast of the Orissa State, is such as Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, V, Zn As, Pb, Cd were registered at different levels. one of the ecological and socio-economical important wetlands of India. The records of Mn (1032 ppm), As (11 ppm), Cd (1.50 ppm), Co (29 ppm), This largest open lagoon of Asia covering an area of 1165 sq. km is show- Cu (30 ppm), Pb (29ppm), Zn (80 ppm) at depth of 300–500 cm indi- ing alarming environmental degradation. Litho-bio-and chronostrati- cated the environmental stress of the ecosystem. It has been inferred graphic methods have been applied to unveil the nature of depositional that these chemicals are mainly incorporated by the use of fertilizers environment, Holocene evolution of mangrove vegetation in associa- and pesticides in agriculture. The present mangrove ecosystem, al- tion with the events of marine transgression and regression. The core though more restricted, is fairly stable with maintenance of conserved CH1 9 (19°45‘56.5“ N; 85°22‘38.1“ E) from Chilka Lake measuring 7.80 m mangrove forests in protected prograding bays in Mahanadi delta and dated back to 11 245 ± 180 yrs. B.P. was subjected to fine resolution in estuaries kept open by adequate river flow. However, siltation, eu- palynostratigraphy. Mangroves colonized in response to marine trans- trophication and industrial development are major threatening factors gression in early and upper middle part of Holocene were established affecting the sensitivity of lake, its shrinkage and total disappearance of as Rhizophora-dominated mangroves. The other core and peripheral surrounding vegetation. mangrove taxa were represented by Sonneratia, Avicennia, Excoecaria, Glaciation/deglaciation in the Himalayas had marked effect on the Heritiera, Acanthus, Acrostichium, Lumnitzera, Barringtonia, Pandanus, Co- sedimentation and sea level changes in the Bengal Basin. Qualitative cus, Borassus, Phoenix, Fabaceae, Terminalia, Meliaceae, etc. The palyno- and quantitative incidences of palynomorphs, limited knowledge of logical results of several other investigated mid-late Holocene profiles over and under representation of pollen taxa of the Orissa region, po- (Balugaon, Rambha, Nalabana, Dangmal, Bhowania) are comparable tential forces especially cyclonic storms, oceanic/fluvial activities and only with the upper part of CHI 9. The varying concentrations metals records of palaeotidal changes are yet to be precisely studied.

EOPLEISTOCENEEARLY PLEISTOCENE FLOR AS IN LITHUANIA

Dalia Kisieliene Institute of Geology Geography, T. Sevcenkos 13, LT-03223 Vilnius, Lithuania, e-mail: [email protected]

The first data of the Early Pleistocene flora composition in Lithuania sceleratoides Nikit. et Dorof., Elatine hydropiperoides Dorof. et Wieliczk. have been obtained from the outcrops of Anyksciai district (Daumantai- etc), the other part consists of the Pleistocene floras such as Sparganium 1, Slavė-2). In the end of last century palaeobotanical studies enabled minimum Fr., S. emersum Rehm., Selaginella selaginoides (L.) Link, Eleo- to distinguish similar floras in several sections (Vindziunai-136, Padvari- charis palustris L., Potamogeton filiformis Pers., P. rutilus Wulf., P. praelon- onys-139, Sumskas-126) of Vilnius district. According to palaeobotanical gus Wulf., Myriophyllum verticillatum L. etc. and sedimentological data sediments containing these floras were at- Complexes of the Kemėnai plant macrofossils provide information tributed to the Early Pleistocene Kemenai stage (formation) and char- on the evolution during the Kemėnai time, i.e. the flora of the Vindziunai- acterised interglacial time (Kondratiene, 1996; Velichkevich et al., 1998). 136 well indicates an optimum of the interglacial (defined by Potamoge- The palaeocarpological characteristic of the Kemenai interglacial was ton trichoides Cham. et Schlecht.), whereas those of the Padvarionys-139, made in accordance with fragmentary complexes of halophytes and Sumskas-126 and Daumantai-1 reflects the cooler, similar to the present- hydrophilic plants. day climate. A major part of the flora is composed of a wide range of A variability of species is characteristic of these floras, i.e. elements climatically different species (eurithermic), which belong to a group of of different age are present in the same layers. A part of them are ex- water-uliginous plants. Tree macrofossils are either absent or found only tinct coming from the Pliocene (e.g. Pilularia pliocenica Dorof., Typha as single fruits of Larix, Pinus and Betula in the Kemėnai florae. However, ex gr. pliocenica Dorof., Eleocharis pseudoovata Dorof., Salvinia aphtosa the palynological data shows that mixed coniferous-deciduous woods Wieliczk., Azolla interglacialis Nikit., Potamogeton perforatus Wieliczk., had grown there, dominated by coniferous with a presence of Quercus P. parvulus Dorof., P. pseudorutilus Dorof., P. dvinensis Wieliczk., P. prae- (up to 14 %), Ulmus, Tilia, Carpinus and Corylus. Some areas were not cov- maackianus Wieliczk., Stratiotes cf. brevispermus Wieliczk., Ranunculus ered with woods (Kondratiene, 1996).

64 A great number of extinct species, exceeding a quarter of all the de- Carex rostrata-pliocenica Nikit., Eleocharis praemaximowiczii Dorof., Ra- fined species, is characteristic for the Kemenai stage floras. nunculus sceleratoides Nikit. et Dorof., Elatine hydropiperoides Dorof. et The Kemenai flora in Lithuania can be correlated with the Korchov Wieliczk. The similarity of the two stages is also confirmed by palyno- type flora in Belarus. The Korchov type flora is richer than the Kemenai logical data and similar development of the vegetation, i.e. by a type one. It includes more exotic species, but at the same time the both flo- of vegetation, predominating elements, a content of deciduous woods ras contain common extinct species, which are Azolla interglacialis Nikit., and their quantity. Potamogeton perforatus Wieliczk., P. pseudorutilus Dorof., P. dvinensis,

A THALLOID FERN FROM THE CENOMANIAN OF K AZAKHSTAN  A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC FERNS

Tatiana Kodrul1 and Valentin Krassilov2, 3 1 Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119017, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Izrael 3 Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117647, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

A major event in plant evolution (and the evolution of aquatic eco- into a broad midrib and the much thinner unistratose marginal zones of systems) in the Cretaceous Period was the explosive radiation of aquatic polygonal cells. The midrib shows slender vascular strands surrounded ferns, among which both extant and extinct orders are presently recog- by a sheath that appears more than one cell thick. The frond morphol- nized. Despite the abundance of well-preserved fossil material, the phy- ogy and rhizoids suggest a free-floating or, less probably, a prostrate logeny of basal aquatic ferns is as yet poorly understood. It is commonly rheophytic habit. The large grape-like sori are borne on short elliptical assumed that aquatic ferns are derived from terrestrial forms with indu- terminal lobes that are modified into membranous involucres. Numer- siate sori. Sporocarps and heterospory, although shared by all aquatic ous small sporangia are attached in dense masses to an elongate non- ferns, might have appeared as parallel developments. exserted receptacle. The sporangia are small, globose, with a complete Of the extant aquatic families, the Azollaceae and Salviniaceae are annulus. The spores are numerous, trilete, with a rugulate-spinulate per- thought to be linked to the Hymenophyllaceae, a fern family with an ispore, of the same kind in all the sporangia, and, therefore, isosporous. exceedingly meager fossil record. Recent Hymenophyllaceae include Although basically similar to hymenophyllaceous ferns, “Hymeno- epiphytic, saxicolous, terrestrial and rheophytic forms with terminal phyllites” macrosporangiatus differs in the morphology of leaf rosettes, sori in the cup-shaped or campanulate, bilabiate, variously immersed which are atypical of the Hymenophyllaceae, and the involucrate fer- indusia. The best-preserved fern remains of supposedly hymenophyl- tile lobes. Maturation of sporangia appears simultaneous, whereas in laceous affinity were described from the Late Cretaceous of Kazakhstan the Hymenophyllaceae it is typically basipetal. On account of these as Hymenophyllites macrosporangiatus Vachr. This species is represented distinctions, “Hymenophyllites” macrosporangiatus has to be separated by rosettes of prostrate fronds with repeatedly dichotomous segments from the Hymenophyllaceae into an extinct family of its own. It differs bearing slender rhizoids. In general habit this fern resembles aquatic from all known aquatic ferns in annulate sporangia and in homospory, liverworts. Leaf histology cannot be studied in our material, but the indicating a transitional form, in which characteristic features of aquatic blades of the ribbon-shaped leaf segments are clearly differentiated ferns are not yet fully developed.

DIFFERENTIATION OF SPECIES WITHIN TR ANSBERINGIAN GENER A OF CUPRESSACEAE FROM THE PALEOGENE OF EASTERN ASIA AND NORTH AMERICA

Tatiana Kodrul1 and Valentin Krassilov2, 3 1 Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119017, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mt Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel 3 Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117647, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The problem of trans-Beringian land bridge connections in the Ditaxocladus Guo et Sun. The taxonomic relationships between these Cretaceous and Paleocene is addressed using newly discovered species genera are not yet clarified and they perhaps constitute a group of with eastern Asiatic – western North American ranges. Though shared homeomorphous taxa sharing the plagiotropous shoot morphology species have been repeatedly recorded from Asiatic and American local- and a tendency of leaf fusion. At the generic level, the Amurian conifer ities, the morphological descriptions are often too general to discrimi- assigned to Ditaxocladus, differs from Fokienia in the branching pattern, nate between natural taxa and homeomorphous groups. We described leaf morphology, seed cone arrangement, and epidermal topography, a new species of Mesocyparis (shoots, leaf cuticles, pollen cones, seed which is also unlike Androvettia. On the other hand, the Chinese, Rus- cones, pollen grains) from the Early Paleocene of Amur Region, Russian sian, and Canadian species, assigned to Ditaxocladus and Fokieniopsis, Far East which differs from contemporaneous American species in such are quite similar, attesting to the constancy of morphological charac- supposedly archaic characters as mixed opposite and alternate branch- ters, with the exceptions of minor distinctions in the leaf morphology ing of vegetative shoots, leaf-like microsporophylls, and a greater and the size ranges of pollen cones and pollen grains. Therefore, we can number of sporangia per microsporophyll, as well as ovules per seed safely conclude that Ditaxocladus/Fokieniopsis is a natural taxon, not scale. Such features may indicate proximity to a primary diversification a morphological group of homeomorphous taxa. center of the genus, with long-ranging ancestral forms, from where the Both conifers under consideration are locally abundant in coal-bear- trans-Beringian migrations might have started. ing deposits, representing a cupressaceous type of riparian forest. The Another species from the same horizon is close to the North Ameri- associated occurrences of Mesocyparis and Ditaxocladus, represented by can and Asiatic forms variously assigned to Androvettia Hollick et Jef- the closely related species in eastern Asia and western North America, frey, Fokienia Henry et Thomas, Fokieniopsis McIver et Basinger and indicate a trans-Beringian distribution of certain types of conifer com-

65 munities rather than migrations of individual species. The trans-Bering- cupressaceous species we studied, during warmer phases of the Late ian route might have been accessible to temperate plants, such as the Cretaceous and Paleocene climatic cycles.

DEVELOPMENT OF VEGETATION COVER IN POLAND TERRITORY DURING LAST INTERGLACIALGLACIAL CYCLE BASED ON POLLEN ANALYSIS DATA

Maryna Komar Institute of Geological Science, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Gonchara 55B Str., 01054, Kyiv, Ukraine, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Loess and intraloess paleosols are not easy objects to investigate by and Polanów Samborzecki profiles. The Interglacial optimum is recog- means of pollen analysis, as it is very time- and labour-consuming, and nized in the Tarnawce and Polanów Samborzecki diagrams (T-4, PS-4). In also quite expensive. However, the results are very promising because the parts of the diagrams, which correspond to the Eemian Interglacial, complete profiles can give us a continuous record of interglacial floras’ the phase of development of hornbeam forests is absent at Tarnawce, succession, and also of nature and transformations of plant cover in gla- and represented partly at Polanów Samborzecki. The vegetation his- cial periods, then the environmental conditions of loess deposition. We tory recorded in the sediments at Biały Kościół section began at the obtain information of not only local weight, as when studying lacustrine end of Eemian Interglacial. Birch was the main component of forests in and boggy deposits, but also of regional value. Tarnawce, and pine – in Polanów Dolny and Biały Kościół. In all diagrams The purpose of this study is to reconstruct the flora and climate the whole Vistulian is characterized by the occurrence of pollen of trees changes during the Eemian Interglacial and the Vistulian (Weichselian) and shrubs. Glaciation, based on palynological investigation of subaerial sediments The common features resulted from a general tendency of climate at Tarnawce, Polanów Samborzecki, and Biały Kościół sections (Poland). and vegetation development during the last Interglacial-Glacial cycle, The pollen successions have been divided into 12, 14, and 11 pollen as- whereas the differences were caused by different meso- and micro-paleo- semblage zones (L PAZ), respectively. The reconstructed vegetation cor- geomorphological situation, and probably also by different slope aspect. responds to the scheme commonly accepted for the Eemian interglacial On the basis of the results of pollen analysis it was determined that and resembles the vegetation successions found in fossil lacustrine de- the sediments from three sections represent not complete successions posits in Poland and Western Ukraine. On the basis of the results of paly- of last Interglacial-Glacial cycle. In all profiles we find hiatuses, which nological analysis it was determined that the sediments were formed were probably caused by denudation. The number of hiatuses and their in open landscapes, open forests, mixed forests, multi-species forests, situation in the studied profiles are not the same but the most impor- forest-steppe and periglacial mosaic landscapes during last Interglacial- tant hiatus, correlated with hornbeam phase, occurs in Tarnawce and Glacial cycle. Polanów Samborzecki profiles. The pollen diagrams from Tarnawce, Polanów Samborzecki, and The proportion of trees and shrubs in forests in interstadial periods Biały Kościół have several common features and also individual ones. was significantly affected by the probable occurrence of their refuge ar- Lower boundary of the Eemian Interglacial is marked in Tarnawce eas in the Carpathians and Sudetes.

THE PALAEGEOGR APHICAL CONDITIONS OF THE UNIQUE LATE PALAEOLITHIC MEZHIRICH SITE UKR AINE

Maryna Komar Institute of Geological Science, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Gonchara 55B Str., 01054, Kyiv, Ukraine, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

The unique settlement of Final Pleistocene hunters of Periglacial cover were rapidly occupied with long existing assemblages”. Tree plants zone of Eastern Europe found in the Mezhirich village (49°38’ N, 31°24’ E), were placed in river valleys and ravines. Wet meadows and shrubs occu- is located in the Cherkasy Region of Ukraine. The site was discovered in pied lowered plots. The components of the floristic complex with Betula 1965. Cultural remains at Mezhirich are found in a calcareous loess matrix nana, Betula humilis could be referred to forest assemblages as well as to at the depth of 2.7–3.4 m below the present day surface. The rites fame their own separate associations on the watersheds and along river banks. rests on its spectacular features, which include mammoth-bone exterior The palynospectra character in the section testifies to cultural layers of hearths and work areas. The vegetation cover during the formation of the Mezhirich Site having been formed in the period of short time mellowing studied deposits was changing. The samples have been analyzed from of climate. As a result plant associations become more rich and diverse the pit, the cultural layer and the excavation wall beyond the cultural and territories covered by forest associations enlarged to some extent. layer. 4 pollen zones have been distinguished. The characteristic features The zonal type of vegetation, however, has not changed. It is possible that of periglacial florae are observed in their composition joint presence of during the last glacial age specific periglacial landscapes persisted to ex- xerophytes indifferent to temperature; microtherms (Betula nana, Hip- ist being favourable for the existence of primeval hunters. Faunal remain pophae, Botrychium boreale); mesophytes (Betula humilis, Lycopodium from Mezhirich agree with environmental reconstruction received by pol- clavatum etc.); plants of disrupted and unformed soils. The results of the len diagrams. Megatheriofauna (definition of Korniets N.) contained the palynological investigations allow us to draw a conclusion that the plant species tundra and boreal forests (reindeer) together with steppe forms cover during the Late Paleolithic Man Age had a mosaic structure. Water- (bison, horse), forest forms (red deer, wild pig) with tundra dweller (Arc- sheds were covered with periglacial-steppe coenoses. There were plots tic fox). Microtheriofauna (definition of Rekovets L.) also show mix spe- with disrupted or unformed soil-plant cover though their spreading was cies of steppe (susliks), tundra (narrow-skulled vole), forest steppe (wood limited. The territory surrounding the Site, as E. M. Zelikson noted,” was mouse). Remains of birds (definition of Umanskaja A.) are mixed as well, sufficiently turfed, and appearing plots with disrupted or unformed soil tundra species (willow grouse, snowy owl) together with forest-steppe

66 forms (eagle owl, raven) and forest dweller such as black grouse. The crofauna indicate climatic oscillations with cold and warm phases. Such molluscs (definition of Prisiazhniuk V.) represent mix species that today conclusion is confirmed by the 14C dates of the raw and burned bones distributed in different ecological zones. Flora and fauna, especially mi- range within 17–12 ka B.P., though most of them – within 15–14 ka B.P.

USEFULNESS OF POLLEN ANALYSIS OF MINER ALSOIL DEPOSITS IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL DEDUCTION AN EXAMPLE OF THE SITES ON THE K AŃCZUGA PLATEAU, CARPATHIAN FORELAND, POLAND

Maryna Komar1, Maria Łanczont2 and Jolanta Nogaj-Chachaj2 1 Institute of Geological Science, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Gonchar 55B Str., 01054, Kyiv, Ukraine, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Maria Skłodowska-Curie University, M. C. Sklodowska 5 Pl., 20-033, Poland, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

This work is an attempt to connect the results of pollen analysis of that slope deposits can be related to the beginning of the Subatlan- loess-soil deposits with the results of archaeological studies in the cen- tic period. This layer is characterized by poor pollen spectra without tral part of the Kańczuga Plateau (the subcarpathian loess plateau), in thermophilous plants and typical anthropogenic indicators. It is the catchments of a small stream (in the basin of the San River – tribu- surprising because such landscape is more typical for the Vistulian- tary of the Vistula River). This area of these catchments has been used Holocene transition. We can also consider the situation when pioneer as arable land at least since 6500 years. The archaeological research to plants colonized eroded or initial soils. The presented material is very date has indicated intensive development of settlement in the Neolithic difficult for interpretation. Geomorphology, dating results, and par- (funnel-beaker culture, corded ware culture), the Roman period, and the tially the composition of pollen spectra from slope deposits seem to early Middle Ages. confirm human impact on a course of events in the catchment. Pollen analysis was carried out for the subfossil Holocene soil with 2. Pollen analysis was carried out for the samples from hand-borings overlying allochthonous deposits, which origin was indirectly (slope de- situated within and under one from among three kurgans forming posits) or directly (mantles of kurgans) conditioned by human activity. the prehistoric burial ground, and in the soil occurring in direct vicin- Additionally, lithological-geochemical analyses of soils and anthropo- ity. Pollen spectra obtained for the soil outside the kurgan were cor- genic deposits were made, and also radiocarbon and TL dating. Moreo- related with local pollen zone of Picea-Carpinus-Fagus-Abies, which is ver, the results of pollen analysis of organogenic deposits from the main related to the Subboreal period. The soil under the kurgan developed valley bottom were taken into consideration. in a little older part of this period. The structure of kurgan mantle is Deposits were examined in two sites: bipartite. Its lower part is undoubtedly built of soil material from an 1. Deposits from soil (pedocomplex?) and overlying deluvia, forming old humus horizon. The C14 ages of humus material are range from a complex of four layers on a slope. The B horizon of the soil is TL 3980 ± 90 to 4530 ± 100 years BP. Pollen spectra from the lower part dated at 10.8–11.2 ka BP, and pollen spectra of this layer indicate pine of the kurgan mantle are characterized by high proportion of tree phase of Alleröd. The superimposed humus horizon is TL dated at 9.1 pollen, higher than in the spectra obtained for soil material occur- ka BP; its spectra are characterized by lack of tree and shrub pollen, ring under the kurgan. Birch-tree is the strongest represented taxon and high content of redeposited pollen grains. Mineral material from in most samples. The comparison of pollen spectra from the kurgan the lower two layers of slope deposits was TL dated at 3.5 and 3.2 ka mantle with those from natural soil profiles indicates that birch was BP. Humus from these layers was radiocarbon dated at 2610 ± 120 BP never predominant in the forests at that time. We suppose that birch (Ki-9907) and 2500 ± 110 BP (Ki-9906). The radiocarbon ages indicate pollen got into humus material of kurgan mantle in artificial way.

A PALYNOFLOR A FROM THE PLEISTOCENE OF SOUTHERN THAILAND

Wipanu Kongjun1, Paul J. Grote1 and David Kay Ferguson2 1 School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Department of Palaeobotany, Institute of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected]

A sediment core from Ban Bo So, Singha Nakhon district, Songkhla is from tropical plants in back mangrove forest species of Myrtaceae, province in the Songkhla Lake Basin, was retrieved by the Department Barringtoniaceae, and Combretaceae and in lowland forest species of of Mineral Resources and studied. The sediment at 31 meters depth was Podocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Dipterocarpaceae. dated to about 30,950 yr. BP, and extracted for pollen analysis. The sedi- Ban Bo So today is located on a sandy beach, 8 m above mean sea ment samples were treated by the standard acetolysis method. A com- level, about 2 km to the west of the present shoreline of the Gulf of pound microscope and scanning electron microscope were used for Thailand. The current vegetation and environment are different from morphological observations and taking photographs of the fossil paly- the mangrove vegetation in the brackish environment during the Pleis- nomorphs. The identification was conducted using keys and modern tocene. This may indicate the early developmental process of Sathing- pollen reference collections. Most of the identified pollen grains in this pra Peninsula and the Songkhla Lake, which changed after the middle layer are from mangrove plants. They are from various families includ- Pleistocene from an open coast or bay environment to be the lagoon ing Rhizophoraceae, Sonneratiaceae, and Avicenniaceae. Other pollen environment at present.

67 STOMATAL DENSITY AND ATMOSPHERIC CO2  MECHANISTIC MODELLING APPROACHES BASED ON DIFFUSIONAL RESISTANCES AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Wilfried Konrad1, Anita Roth-Nebelsick1 and Michaela Grein1 1 Institute for Geosciences, Tübingen, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

The often observed reciprocal change of stomatal density (SD) with The fact that the SD(CO2) response is very probably based on plant atmospheric CO2 has led to the utilization of this phenomenon as a CO2 gaseous exchange opens possibilities for 1) a deeper understanding of proxy for past palaeoclimates. High variance of stomatal density and the observed phenomena and 2) mechanistic models. It can be expect- the species-specific response represent difficulties which are faced by ed that sound response models are able to contribute significantly to alternatively using the stomatal index (ratio between stomatal cells and the applicability and plausibility of this palaeobotanical CO2 proxy. This epidermal cells, SI) and to consider taxa with a long fossil record (“liv- represents a possibility for considerable expanding the potential of this ing fossils”). Usually transfer functions are produced by collecting data appraoch. In this contribution, the basic components of a mechanistic of the SD or SI(CO2) relationship based on greenhouse experiments or SD(CO2) model are presented. Coupling between CO2 diffusion and herbarium data and to perform a curve fit. The resulting function is then photosynthesis with both components mutually influencing each other used to calculate fossil CO2 with fossil SD or SI data. represents the core of the model. Each component can be formulated It appears to be straightforward to assume that the underlying bio- in more or less detail, i.e. the model can integrate numerous additional logical basis of a reciprocal change of SD with CO2 is represented by an parameters. adaptational re-calibration of epidermal conductance: if CO2 increases, SD is a part of the diffusion component which comprises the epider- then the conductance can be decreased without impairing carbon fixa- mal resistance (SD, size and depth of stomatal pore) and the mesophyll tion rate. It has been widely demonstrated that plants which are subject resistance (e.g. intercellular air space, area of mesophyll cells, membrane to enhanced CO2 exhibit a lower degree of stomatal opening resulting resistances). Photosynthesis is represented by a widely-used model. It in a significant decrease of conductance. This reaction occurs in species contains assimilation rates and various biochemical parameters. Addi- which decrease their SD phenotypically as well as in species which show tionally, a well-funded assimilation-temperature dependency can be no SD(CO2) response. It can be expected that – on an evolutionary level included. The model can be parametrized with typical values or charac- – this regulatory conductance decrease is at least partially substituted teristic ranges of values of extant taxa. It can be used for 1) a thorough by a morphological conductance decrease achieved with lowering SD. sensitivity analysis of the influence of the various parameters on the

This appears to represent a selective advantage since less stomata mean response and 2) a calculation of past CO2 together with error margins less potential water loss. There are in fact indications that the number of based on 1). Examples for applying this approach will be presented and responding taxa increases with the considered time span. discussed within this contribution.

MICROPALAEONTOLOGICAL PALYNOLOGICAL RECORDS OF THE OHŘE RIFT VOLCANOSEDIMENTARY COMPLEXES IN BOHEMIA

Magda Konzalová Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 135, 16502 Praha 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Plant microfossils obtained from sedimentary intercalations within point to various proportion of swampy conifers, herbs and shrubs, at the the Neovolcanoclastic rocks or closely underlying strata in the North localities in the Most and Cheb Basins, pointing to a different edaphic and West Bohemia Rift area, investigated in various time intervals dur- condition and ecology of the plant community, recalling basinal coal ing geological prospecting activity, showed interesting pollen/paly- forming vegetation (Most Basin). Special environment and plant com- nomorph assemblages reflecting their original plant communities. munity is represented in some diatomites of the České Středohoří Mts., Geographically, they come from the České středohoří Mts., the Bohe- containing aquatic macrophytes, limnic organic-walled microorganisms mian part of the Labe/Děčín area and limited areas in the Sokolov and and necromass of microorganisms thriving in limnic ecosystems. In the Cheb Basins. The Josef-Seam Complex in the Sokolov Basin and rare Sokolov, Cheb Basins and Volcanosedimentary Complex of the České palyno-assemblages from sedimentary layers on bedrocks or intercala- středohoří Mts. and its extensions, the range of Boehlensispollis hohli tions within the volcanic bodies in the Cheb Basin provided important W. Kr., the marker microfossil of the so called Calau-Bild in Germany, is data for reconstruction of palaeofloristic communities in the western worth mentioning. This rare fossil, of ambiguous botanical relationship, part of the Ohře Rift. One of the main floristic events was recognized is relatively frequent in the Josef Coal Seam in the Sokolov Basin and in there – the onset of the Arctotertiary Flora, revealed in the Sokolov Ba- the sedimentary intercalations of the Neovolcanites in the Labe/Děčín sin in the roof of the Josef Seam Complex or close to overlying strata area, and occurs as single component almost at all localities in the České (in the continuous boreholes). The representation of Arctotertiary (ART) středhoří Mts. except the basal part of the Kučlín locality; the regional microflora was followed in pollen spectra from almost all localities in and vertical occurrence of this fossil has also extraterritorial correlative the České středohoří Mts. and its extensions, except the classic locality implications. It could be stated, that three factors are reflected in the Kučlín (Kutschlin in Hibsch´s maps or Explanations) and some other lo- Bohemian volcanic palynoflora in general overview. calities (e.g. Lbín), which lack these components, but vice versa, contain 1. The time impact expressed by the floristic palyno-communities without highly thermophilic palynotaxa. The individual palyno-assemblages re- ART representatives but with palaeotropical elements and floristic com- flecting plant communities in the Ohře Rift Volcanosedimentary Com- munities with onset and different distribution of ART components. plexes show local differences in both pollen-taxa and frequencies of 2. The altitudinal differences displayed in frequency of particular pollen pollen deposition; generally, the latter phenomenon was observed in elements in spectra. the localities close to the presumed source vegetation; they reflected 3. The edaphic factor, reflected in both terrestrial forest and herba- more complete spectra in the studied assemblages. Further differences ceous plants pattern and in limnic condition.

68 VEGETATIONAL CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT DYNAMIC ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE PALYNOASSEMBLAGES IN THE CHEB BASIN, WESTERN PART OF THE OHŘE RIFT, WITHIN 40.4 MA TO 1.8 MA SUMMARY STR ATIGR APHICAL PROFILE FROM THE WESTERN PART OF THE OHŘE RIFT, CZECH REPUBLIC  PALAEOGENE TO PLIOCENE

Magda Konzalová1 and Leon Stuchlik2 1 Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 135, 16502, Praha 6, Czech Republic; 2 W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Palaeobotany, Lubicz 46, 31-512 Krakow, Poland

Palynological records obtained from the boreholes drilled during pollen. Early and Middle Miocene microfloristic components (at the spe- the three decades of the last century (during intensive prospecting activ- cies level of palynomorphs) are in many respects common in the com- ities) in the wide area of the Tertiary deposits in Western Bohemia in the pared Czech and Polish basins; some them are closely comparable with westernmost part of the Ohře Rift area (Bohemian part of the Mid-Euro- those of the Central Paratethys area. Well comparable are the Pliocene pean Rift) are discussed and demonstrated. The time span covers assem- spectra followed in the Cheb Basin and in the Mariánské Lázně Graben. blages from the Middle Eocene 40.4 ± 0.2 Ma to the Pliocene, 1.8 Ma. The Several borehole sections of the basins in Bohemia and the comparative ideal profile shows thus the dynamic development of the Palaeogene sections from borehole profiles in southwestern Poland were studied in flora, based on the palynological assemblages, followed in changes to more detail and were employed for comparison of vegetation patterns, the end of the Neogene. The main floristic composition, demonstrated particularly in the Miocene and Pliocene strata. The lush Eocene flora in the characteristic features of the extinction and newly occurring taxa of palaeotropical/palaeosubtropical vegetation, dominated by forest (and/or their frequency), is displayed in an ideal profile, derived from components, to the roof of the ideal profile represented by Pliocene flo- several tens of borehole profiles, drilled in the respective basins, in some ra, with predomination of deciduous trees and rich herbaceous plants, cases from the sections, compared with SW and central parts of Poland. testify the dynamic floristic development within more than 38 Ma from Significant changes are shown in the angiosperm components in the as- the area of several tens quadrate kilometres. semblages determined as Middle Eocene and UpperEocene/Oligocene The research has been a part of the cooperation between the Czech in age, further in the assemblages yielding the markers of the Oligocene and Polish Academies of Sciences.

SEED FLOR A FROM CULTUR AL LAYERS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN WEST SIBERIA FORESTTUNDR A

Olga M. Korona Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ekaterinburg, Russia

Plant macrofossils were extracted from the cultural layers sampled hydrophytes are represented in these associations (Carex spp., Comar- at the excavations of the Russian settlement, dated to the XVII centu- um palustre, Ranunculus repens, Caltha palustris, Phalaroides arundinace- ry, Mangazea (66.42 N, 82.16 E) and a native settlement aged to XVII c. ae, Filipendula ulmaria) indicating to paludification processes activation “Nadymsky gorodok” (66.03 N, 72.00 E). after the people departure. Samples from the Mangazea settlement revealed seed complexes of Seed complexes from the Nadymsky Gorodok site characterized two types. One of these had been formed during the time when people flood-plain vegetation of the north taiga, but with some indications to lived there, due to human activities. It included fossils of cultivated grasses human presence. Neither macrofossils of cultivated plants were found, (Avena sativa, Hordeum vulgare) and various ruderal plants (18 species), but seed remains identified to wild edible plants were in plenty (Rubus mainly being characteristic of the surrounding natural communities, and arcticus, R. chamaemorus, Padus avium, Sorbus aucuparia, Vaccinium vi- also 2 plants probably introduced with cultivated grasses (Neslia panicu- tis-idaea, V.uliginosum). Weed seeds were dominated by Urtica dioica, lata, Cannabis sativa). Remains of fruits and seeds have been also identified showing higher numbers in the upper layers. to some cultivated plants probably introduced from Europe: Corylus avella- Thus, the examined seed complexes indicated both to the human na, Prunus sp., Cerasus sp. These complexes also contained macrofossils of presence and to the types of human activities. In the Russian settlement some edible native plants, fruits and seeds of which people used as food: of Mangazea, with no ploughed fields, complexes contained fruits and Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Rubus chamaemorus, Padus avium, Pinus sibirica. seeds of imported feed plants and specific weeds with alien elements, Seed complexes of the second type formed after the people had Urtica dioica seeds were but rare. In the site of Nadymsky Gorodok, na- left the settlement. Composition of those reflects return of vegetation tive people used only native edible plants, and among the weeds Urtica communities to initial state: fossils of cultivated plants and the concomi- dioica showed dominance, being imported occasionally by humans and tant imported weeds are not found any more, and total amount of weed having found favourite conditions similar to its natural habitats. seeds is marked to decrease. Abundant seeds of helobious plants and The study was supported by RFFR grant 05-06-80233.

69 PLANT MACROFOSSILS FROM MAMMOTH LARGE INTESTINE

Olga M. Korona Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ekaterinburg, Russia

In 2005, a mammoth carcass preserving wool, parts of soft issues The site at study is now situated in the subzone of arctic tundra, and large intestine, was excavated in the Gydan peninsular (72o10’ N, where no shrubs (first of all, Betula nana) may be marked in any com- 79o35’ E). Samples of the including soil, mammoth wool and intestine munities. However, remains of woody plants were rather numerous in contents were brought for analyses. Here some results of a preliminary mammoth gut, evidently making a significant portion in the animal study of plant macrofossils extracted from the mammoth large intestine food, and, besides, indicating that these plants could be found in suf- contents are presented. ficient numbers in vegetation of the region. All plant remains found made three groups: (1) vegetative parts Many authors consider flower herbs as the main part in the mam- (leaves and spurs) of green mosses; (2) wooden pieces, some of which moth diet. But their digestible parts do not reach the gut lower parts, being up to 1 cubic cm big; (3) parts of herbaceous flowering plants and thus only a limited number of herb remains can be found there. (seeds, small fragmented parts of leaves and stems identified to the Only 10 seed remains have been registered, identified to: Carex sp., Po- families Cyperaceae and Poaceae). Approximate weight ratio of these tentilla sp., Minuartia sp., Rorippa sp., Ranunculus sceleratus. remains made about 17:2:1. High amount of green mosses’ remains may The data received confirm those previously described in other be due not only to their significant role in plant communities of the re- mammoth studies (Stanischeva, 1982; Ukraintseva, 1984). gion (and the following portion in mammoth diet) but it can also result from poor digestion of these plants, thus been accumulated in the in- testine lower parts.

OCCURRENCE OF BOTRYOCOCCUS BR AUNII KÜTZING IN THE SERBIAN OIL SHALE, ITS COMPARISON WITH RELATED CENTR AL EUROPEAN LOCALITIES

Marianna Kováčová Comenius University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geology and Paleontology, Mlynska dolina G, SK-842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia, e-mail: [email protected]

Besides other sedimentary rock types, Serbian Cainozoic lacustrine on the colonies margins resemble the colonies of the Botryococcaceae deposits contain the oil shale. The oil shale originated in relatively large with strongly reduced magnitude of the cells. The pollen spectrum is and deep lakes well supplied by nutritive elements and the water was uniform, not diversified represented by gathered unidentified amor- eutrophic. The oil shale Miocene in age originated under subtropical cli- phous not coalfield organic matter and by few algae. The pollen spec- mate while the oil shale from the Vranye Depression, Oligocene in age trum from the Mionica – bridge and Shushevlyanska Bela Stena is rich originated in tropical climate. The laminated structure of oil shale tes- and extremely diversified. The algae occur sporadically. According to tifies the seasonal climatic changes. Various sizes of Botryococcus cells the pollen spectra the climate was subtropical to warm-temperate. reflect the different environmental conditions, which closely influence The samples studied from the Vranye Depression are Oligocene in age. the reproduction potential of the algae. Small forms of Botryococcaceae Based on occurrence of Palmae, Sapotaceae and other thermophilous are typical of the biologically active water environment, when this alga taxa the climate was tropical to subtropical. has high reproduction potential. The large size of Botryococcus braunii For this study of Botryococcus braunii and pollen analysis, fine- cells from Pinciná locality indicates a slower growth of the algae. grained sediment samples about 20g in volume, were treated using The most common fossils in the oil shale from the Subotinac – Alek- a standard palynological extraction technique. sinac Depression are algae occurring in colonies. The tubular structures

THE INTEGR ATED PLANT RECORD IPR TO RECONSTRUCT NEOGENE VEGETATION  THE IPR  VEGETATION ANALYSIS

Johanna Kovar-Eder1 and Zlatko Kvaček2 1 Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Charles University, Faculty of Science, Praha, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

A recently developed methodology for the assessment of Neogene foliage and fruit record coincide in all sites analysed. Pollen assemblages vegetation evolution is explained in detail. Foliage, fruit/seed, and tend to point towards more intermediate (warmer and/ or more humid) spore/pollen assemblages from the late Early to early Middle Miocene, conditions than the leaf and fruit records. Revealed discrepancies ac- the early Late Miocene, and the latest Miocene to Early Pliocene are ana- count for the necessity of joint evaluation of all available plant records lysed semi-quantitatively. 19 plant localities/levels with at least two dif- at one site in order to receive balanced reconstruction of vegetation for- ferent organ assemblages are included here. The results obtained from mations. On that basis the palaeoclimatic signals derived from the zonal the different organ assemblages at each site are mutually confronted vegetation formations allow to follow climatic trends and gradients dur- in order to verify and confirm the validity of the applied method. As ing Neogene over Europe. a result, we can state that the zonal vegetation formations derived from

70 MIDDLE MIOCENE CARPOLOGICAL FLOR A FROM THE KONIN BASIN CENTR AL POLAND

Rafal Kowalski Museum of the Earth, Polish Academy of Sciences, Al. Na Skarpie 20/26, 00-488 Warszawa, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

In the brown-coal Konin Basin there are a few quarries, of which one Mai (Hamamelidaceae), Sphenotheca gigantea Kirchheimer (Symplo- is known as Lubstów. Within the Lubstów outcrop the Cenozoic sedi- caceae). Most of the recognized taxa belong to arborescent plants, ments, up to about 200 m thick, are situated within a NW-SE extending characteristic for open pine-laurel forests and shrubby peat-swamps tectonic fault and overlay the Campanian-Mastrichtian. There are two (Pinus urani (Unger) Schimper, Comarostaphylis globula (Menzel) Mai coal seams in the Lubstów outcrop: the lower one that reaches 50 m (Ericaceae), Pirocarpella aquisgranensis Mai (Cyrillaceae), Myrica cf. sup- in thickness and belongs to the II Lusatian Seam Group, and the upper panii Kirchheimer, Lyonia sp (Ericaceae), Corylopsis urselensis Mädler), seam, 15 m thick, belonging to the I Middle-Polish Seam Group. Both the presence of aquatic plants is well documented (Nuphar lutea (L.) seams are separated by a sandy bed up to 8 m thick, from which the ma- Sibth. and Sm. foss., Sparganium aff. camenzianum Kirchheimer). Fossil terial for the present investigations was collected. flora from Lubstów is dominated by palaeotropic element (55 %). Age Total number of 139 remains of fruits, seeds and cones were identi- of the investigated flora dates to the lowest part of the Middle Miocene fied and classified to 21 fossil taxa. Four of them are new for the Polish (equivalent of VI palynological zone Tricolporopollenites megaexactus Miocene flora: Cupressoconus rhenanus Kilpper (Cupressaceae), Cupres- after Ziembińska-Tworzydło). sospermum saxonicum Mai (Geinitziaceae), Fortunearia altenburgensis

POLLEN ANALYSES FROM EARLY AND LATE MEDIEVAL TOWN OF PR AGUE.

Radka Kozáková1, Petr Pokorný2 and Vlasta Jankovská3 1 Department of Geobotany, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of the Archaeology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

There is a long tradition of archaeobotanical research using pol- dominant cereals and overall strongly anthropogenic character. An im- len analyses in Prague. As the archaeological excavations had mostly pression of highly deteriorated hygienic conditions that Late Medieval a rescue character, the great amount of the complementary pollen-ana- pollen spectra make is strongly supported by written sources. Never- lytical results were neither published nor confronted with other data theless, we studied different sites with somewhat independent histo- from different localities. The aim of this contribution is to summarise ries – an ox-bow lake filled with flood sediments, a moat and a drainage our present data from Early and Late Medieval sediments of the Czech ditch filled with rubbish, the cultural layers from Prague Castle, the sedi- metropolis and to analyse the pollen expression of the urban environ- ments of communications and those of less inhabited places. The sam- ment throughout Early and Late Medieval Ages. From 9th to 11th centu- ples from different conditions we compare using multivariate statistics ries, pollen samples are usually very rich in species. In Late Medieval, and interpret them in terms of time-succession series and taphonomy. this phenomenon is quite sharply replaced by purer pollen spectra with

PALEOECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN MESOZOIC FERNS

Valentin Krassilov Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel; Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117647, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Through the Mesozoic, ferns were prominent in the undergrowth (Camptopteridaceae) allied to the contemporaneous Matoniaceae on of both evergreen and deciduous forests, as they are today. But they account of their leaf architecture and spore morphology. There were also were dominant in a number of widespread plant communities hav- also forms of cyatheaceous affinities having fewer sporangia per sorus ing no or remote extant analogues. These were (1) the marshland fern and a greater number of spores per sporangium than is typical for this growths that included both dwarf arboreal and non-arboreal elements, family, though commonly occurring in the Gleicheniaceae. In contrast, represented by the fern beds repeatedly occurring through the coal- the Mesozoic pre-mangroves were monodominant, formed of extinct bearing sequences of Mesozoic sedimentary basins; (2) the halophytic eusporangiate Weichseliaceae, widespread in the Early Cretaceous and (‘pre-mangrove’) tidal flat arboreal fern growths remotely comparable declined through the Cenomanian. to the present-day mangrove (back-mangrove mostly) fern swamps, Explosive radiation of aquatic ferns was a major evolutionary event and (3) the aquatic fern communities developing since the Albian. in the Mesozoic, related to eutrophication of freshwater bodies and Taxonomic diversity of Mesozoic ferns reflected the rise and decline contemporaneous with, or slightly preceding, the advent of aquatic of these community types. The Mesozoic-type fern marshlands ap- angiosperms. The Early Cretaceous and Cenomanian water fern assem- peared in the mid-Triassic, diversified through the Jurassic and early Ne- blages included a diversity of extinct forms of a high taxonomic rank, ocomian and declined since late Neocomian (but were still prominent such as “Hymenophyllites” macrosporangiatus Vachr., a thalloid Riccia-like through the mid-Cretaceous on the western Pacific margin). Their diver- homosporous form, the incipient heterosporous fern from the Late Cre- sity was built-up through diversification of the ancestral matoniaceous, taceous of Amurland, as well as Vakhramelia Golovneva et Krassilov, and cyatheaceous and schizaeaceous forms, assignable to extant genera Heroleandra Krassilov et Golovneva, the advanced heterosporous forms (‘Raphaelia’ = Osmunda, ‘Coniopteris’ burejensis = Dicksonia, ‘Aspidistes’ = with large numbers of megaspores per sporangium from the Cenoma- Cyathea) or representing extinct families, such as the Mesozoic “Dipteri- nian of West Siberia and Kazakhstan. The extant families of water ferns daceae”, scarcely related to Dipteris, but classifiable as an extinct family represent few surviving lines of the Cretaceous radiation burst.

71 NEW INSIGHTS ON GLENOPTERIS AND OTHER PELTASPERMS FROM THE PERMIAN OF NORTH AMERICA

Michael Krings1, Hans Kerp2, William A. DiMichele3, Dan Chaney3 and Thomas N. Taylor4 1 Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie und GeoBio-CenterLMU, Richard-Wagner-Straße 10, D-80333 München, Germany 2 Forschungsstelle für Paläobotanik am Geologisch-Paläontologischen Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Hindenburgplatz 57, D-48143 Münster, Germany 3 Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA 4 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7534, USA

The seed fern order Peltaspermales was historically believed to be rately. A number of gross-morphological and epidermal features of G. restricted to the Mesozoic. Recent discoveries, however, indicate that splendens are consistent with features seen in extant plants that live in the group was widespread and abundant in the Permian, appearing habitats characterized by (seasonal) moisture limitation, and elevated at least by the latest Pennsylvanian. The diversity of North American soil and ground water salinity. For example, the succulent pinnules of peltasperms, including callipterids (Autunia, Rhachiphyllum), supaioids Glenopteris may help mitigate water stress, since foliage of this type (e.g., Supaia, Glenopteris, Protoblechnum), comioids (Comia), and several delivers large quantities of storage water, but could also be an adap- forms previously referred to the gigantopterids (e.g., Delnortea, Evolso- tation to elevated salinity since large water storage also increases the nia, Gigantopteridium), suggests an extensive and early radiation of the salt accumulation capacity of the fronds. Wart- and peg-like cuticular group, in which they became ecological dominants in the Permian low- projections may represent an adaptation to moisture limitation because land equatorial regions. Unfortunately, the late Paleozoic fossil record many extant xeromorphic plants display similar heavily cutinized anti- of peltasperms from North America typically consists of adpressed clinal cell walls. Glenopteris splendens is to date the only North American foliage, with limited information on the precise affinities, paleobiol- late Paleozoic peltasperm for which the epidermal anatomy has been ogy, and paleoecology available. We discovered that specimens of one detailed. We anticipate that studies of this type will make it possible to North American peltasperm, Glenopteris splendens from the Permian ultimately decipher the relationships that existed between Glenopteris of Kansas, yield well-preserved cuticles. As a result, new data based on and other taxa in the Peltaspermales. epidermal anatomy is now available to interpret this plant more accu-

C4 PLANT AND CLIMATE EVOLUTION LINKED TO MIOCENE CO2

Wolfram M. Kuerschner1 and Zlatko Kvaček2 1 Faculty of Sciences, Section Palaeo-Ecology, Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic

The Miocene is characterized by a series of key climatic events drastically reduced as a result of CO2 declines from above 500 down to which led to the establishment of the modern global climate system. As- 300 ppmv, or below, while max. assimilation rates are largely unaffected sociated with them are vegetation changes such as the establishment of at low leaf growth temperatures (15–20 °C). The photosynthesis models grasslands and the rise of C4 plants. Although both, climatic trends and indicate that in warm tropical climate regimes during the early and mid-

C4 plant evolution are thought to be influenced by the long-term CO2 dle Miocene photorespiration and dark respiration became a limiting fluctuations previous pCO2 reconstructions and modeling studies have factor for CO2 assimilation in C3 plants. Thus, CO2 starvation during the disputed the role of CO2 as a forcing factor. Here we present stomatal Miocene may represent a significant environmental stress factor that frequency data from multiple and independently calibrated tree spe- resulted into the development of counter strategies and modifications cies that reveal pronounced CO2 fluctuations since the late Oligocene. that improved the efficiency of C3 photosynthesis and ultimately lead

CO2 fluctuations in the early to middle Miocene are of such a magnitude to the rise of C4 plants. Intriguingly, geochemical evidence reveals the that they may have driven much of the temperature variation and major first significant C4 biomass in the African vegetation during the middle climatic events since the late Oligocene. Warm intervals such as the late Miocene low CO2 period. The first occurrence of C4 plants as suggested Oligocene and the mid-Miocene climatic optimum are characterized by by molecular phylogeny, about 20 Myrs ago, coincides approximately significantly elevated CO2 levels of about 500 ppmv whereas the major with the CO2 drop in the early Miocene. Consequently, our results point cooling events in the early Miocene and the middle Miocene are charac- to atmospheric CO2 as a pivotal environmental factor that influenced terized by CO2 drops down to 340 ppmv and 280 ppmv, respectively. The both, climate and the evolution of C4 photosynthesis in the Miocene. effects of the reconstructed Oligocene-Miocene CO2 fluctuations on C3 Whether the origin of C4 photosynthesis dates further back into the plant photosynthesis have been tested with plant physiological models Oligocene and coincides possibly with low CO2 conditions awaits still at different growth temperature simulating different climate regimes. further verification. At high growth temperatures (25–35 °C) max. assimilation rates were

PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHY AND PALYNOFACIES ANALYSES OF TERTIARY SEDIMENTS OF ASSAM BASIN, NORTHEAST INDIA

Madhav Kumar Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53-University Road, Lucknow-226007, India, e-mail: [email protected]

Palynological and palynofacies analyses of Late Palaeocene–Mio- environment of various stratigraphic units in the Assam Basin, northeast- Pliocene deposits have been carried out to decipher pattern of distribu- ern India. The sedimentary sequences of Jaintia Group (Late Palaeoce- tion of palynoflora, characteristics of organic matter and depositional Early Eocene, coal and non coal-bearing deposits) possess rich spore,

72 pollen and dinoflagellates including some age marker palynomorphs. groups and displaying their ratio as: a) marine vs. continental paly- The Kopili Formation (Late Eocene) exhibits dominance of pteridophytic nomorphs (Microplankton:Spore, pollen), b) in-situ vs. recycled paly- spores, which are followed by gymnosperm and few angiosperm pollen nomorphs and c) structured phytoclasts, biodegraded, amorphous and grains. The coaliferous deposit of Upper Barail (Tikak Parbat Formation, opaque types in these depositional setup. Through these observations, Late Oligocene) is recognized by occurrence of Meyeripollis naharkoten- fine scale palynostratigraphic analyses are explained with variability sis, Carcinipollenites jussiaeensis, Palaeomalvaceaepollis rudis, Crassoreti- in palaeoecological and palaeovegetational pattern in these horizons. triletes vanraadshoovenii, Striatriletes complex and recycled Permian, The deposition pattern and preservation potential of various types of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous palynoassemblage. The Surma-Tipam organic matter are deduced. Therefore, their occurrence in organic rich groups (Mio-Pliocene), contain rich pteridophytic spores of Stratriletes (Late Palaeocene - Late Oligocene) or organic poor (Mio-Pliocene) facies sussanae, Polypodiisporites spp. and pollen grains of Polyadopollenites helps in recognizing prevalence of anoxic or oxic condition in the verti- miocenicus, Clavaperiporites sp. etc. with moderately high frequency of cal stratigraphic sections. The palynofloral diversity along with generic recycled Permian and some Early Tertiary pollen grains. The distribution similarity and botanical affinity of some significant pollen taxa and their trends of these palynological entities and organic matter are interpret- dispersal in Indian peninsula and adjacent countries are discussed. ed through frequency calibration, categorization to various ecological

IMPACT OF EARLY HOLOCENE HUNTERGATHERERS ON VEGETATION DERIVED FROM POLLEN DIAGR AMS AND NUMERICAL METHODS: AN EXAMPLE FROM CZECH REPUBLIC

Petr Kuneš Charles University in Prague, Department of Botany, Benátská 2, CZ-128 01 Praha 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Character of Early Holocene ecosystems might be influenced by Me- tant is one determined by evidence of local Mesolithic presence. This is solithic human occupants. Detection of human impact in this pre-agrar- also supported by group of species denoting their position on the ordi- ian period is problematic because of its mostly local and sporadic char- nation diagram (Calluna, Solanum, Pteridium, Plantago lanceolata, Trapa acter. Potentially recorded anthropogenic indicators in pollen diagrams natans, Cannabis/Humulus etc.). mostly reflect very local response and are dependent on habitation in- Second very interesting question was which species (indicators) are tensity and distance between activity area and pollen-sampling spot. significantly correlated with local human activity or archaeological finds This study reviews 19 pollen diagrams from the Czech Republic in wider surrounding. Results of testing with RDA method show species concerning the Early Holocene period, which have some connection such as Calluna, Plantago lanceolata, Solanum nigrum, Pteridium and also with Mesolithic archaeological evidence. Data of several authors were Helianthemum, Cannabis/Humulus, Peucedanum etc. strongly correlated extracted and analyzed using numerical methods. Data about Meso- with local archaeological record (stronger intensity of human presence lithic archaeological evidence were transformed into simple categories at the site) and additionally Artemisia or Melampyrum correlated with reflecting intensity of habitation and distance from sampling spot. Sev- all categories of archaeological evidence, not only on local scale, but in eral multivariate methods (PCA, RDA) were used to determine relation regional context as well. of sites to possible anthropogenic indicators and test, how are specific Results show an alternative view at the question of Early Holocene indicators (species) dependent or related to archaeological evidence in human impact evidence. They extremely suffered from a lack of high- the surrounding. quality analyzed and well-dated palynological profiles and records of Displaying the sum of potential anthropogenic indicators within archaeological evidence, which makes a presumption for future studies. each locality bears to the assumption that they have specific response There is also discussed the Early Holocene problem of primary and an- to the human activity. Using ordination diagrams there could be finally thropogenic open stands and their pollen detection. Some suggestions made a view of main trends and factors discriminating localities. There were made dealing with possible archaeological-palaeoecological coop- were distinguished several groups of profiles from which most impor- eration in finding localities and several are being offered in this study.

VEGETATION HISTORY OF CZECH SANDSTONE LANDSCAPES DERIVED FROM PEAT PROFILES

Petr Kuneš1, Petr Pokorný2, Vojtěch Abraham1 and Vlasta Jankovská3 Charles University in Prague, Department of Botany, Benátská 2, CZ-128 01 Praha 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Archeology, Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Letenská 4, CZ-118 01 Praha 1, Czech Republic 3 Institute of Botany, Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Poříčí 3b, CZ-603 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Within the Czech Republic, sandstone landscapes represent an im- ent-rich substrata were subjected to loss of nutrients, most probably en- portant phenomenon. Despite this fact, only little was known about hanced by climatic changes. As the result, expansions of beech and silver some important aspects of their environmental history. České Švýcarsko fir took place. The role of human impact was negligible in this process and Broumovsko sandstone areas were during last ten years subjected and its acceleration can be documented only during the Modern Period. to pollen analytical investigations that brought about significant infor- Existence of different contrasting vegetation over very small spatial scale mation on their Holocene vegetation development. From this point of was widely supported by pollen analyses. These data show expansion view, the history of sandstone areas appears surprisingly dramatic. As and establishment of spruce forests in habitats with climatic inversion. first documented by palaeomalacological investigations, past nutrient In contrast, there dominated mixed oak woodlands with hazel on lighter conditions in the sandstone areas could have been significantly differ- and warmer spots. A hypothesis about extensive relic pine woodlands ent from the present ones. Our new pollen-analytical data from both over investigated sandstone areas was rejected. It is clear from the results, České Švýcarsko and Broumovsko confirm this conclusion. In the Mid- that individual sandstone regions differ significantly one from another in dle Holocene, mixed oak woodlands with abundant hazel, lime, and elm their environmental history. Different climatic and geological setting, as were the dominant forest cover. Later, during Subboreal period, nutri- well as different migration histories caused these distinctions.

73 NOVELTIES ON ARAUCARIA JUSS. AR AUCARIACEAE, PINOPSIDA FROM THE EUROPEAN CRETACEOUS

Lutz Kunzmann Natural History State Collections Dresden, Museum of Mineralogy and Geology, Dresden, D-01109, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Representatives of the Araucariaceae are remarkable plant fossils, representatives of Araucaria were studied. The morphotaxon Araucaria which quite rarely occur within the floras of the European Cretaceous. fricii Velenovský in Bayer 1893 [strobili feminei] is described from Hauset, The first relatively completely preserved and permineralized Araucaria Province Verviers, Belgium and the morphotaxon Araucaria cf. brachy- seed cones of the European Cretaceous are investigated in detail. They phylla Bayer 1893 [folia] is described from Kelmis, Province Verviers, Bel- are compared with other fossil specimens of the genus from the Jurassic gium. As in their type locality Březno, North Bohemia, Czech Republic and from the Cretaceous of Europe and Asia. A conspectus on the oc- (Lower to Middle Coniacian, Březno Formation), both morphotaxa occur currence of the genus and of other representatives of the family in the in one plant taphocoenosis within the Aachen Formation. It is assumed, European Cretaceous is given. Araucariaceae disappeared from the Eu- that both taxa belong to one species. For Araucaria fricii an emended ropean palaeovegetation at the end of the Cretaceous. diagnosis will be published. This morphotaxon shows characters of the The morphotaxon Araucaria spec. nov. [strobili feminei] is described extant species of the section Eutacta. The cone and cone scales of A. from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian/Albian) of Brilon-Nehden, Nordr- fricii are compared with Aachenia debeyi Knobloch 1972, a morphotaxon hein-Westfalen, Germany. This seed cone is moderately well preserved. of isolated cone scales of araucarian affinity from the Aachen Forma- It shows few characters (proportions of bract / seed / ligula), which allow tion. Aachenia debeyi isn’t synonymous with Araucaria fricii. Beside of comparison to extant species of the Araucaria sections Eutacta and Bun- the morphotaxon Araucaria cf. brachyphylla araucariaceous wood oc- ya. Affiliation to the section Araucaria has to be ruled out. Leafy shoots, curs also in the taphocoenosis of Kelmis (Dadoxylon cf. subherzynicum pollen and wood of Araucariaceae were not identified up to now within Schultze-Motel 1962). the plant taphocoenosis of Brilon-Nehden. The results of this investigation will be published in Palaeonto- From the Upper Santonian Aachen Formation fertile and vegetative graphica B (Kunzmann subm.).

THE FLOR A OF KÜHWIESENKOPF / MONTE PR À DELLA VACCA DOLOMITES, NITALY: RECONSTRUCTIONS OF AN ANISIAN MIDDLE TRIASSIC PALAEOENVIRONMENT

Evelyn Kustatscher1, Johanna H. A.van Konijnenburg-van Cittert2 and Piero Gianolla3 1 Naturmuseum Südtirol, Bolzano, 39100, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Utrecht, 3584 CD and Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Ferrara, 44100, Italy, e-mail: [email protected]

The plant deposit of Kühwiesenkopf belongs to the Northern Do- Considering the palaeogeography of the Northern Dolomites lomites (N-Italy), an area famous for its important palaeontological and a marginal basinal environment can be suggested for the plant locality stratigraphic studies on Anisian (Middle Triassic) outcrops. It is con- during the upper Anisian. The basin was confined by western and prob- tained in the Dont Formation, a hemipelagic carbonate-terrigenous ably also by southern mainlands, where four different environments succession of a marginal basin environment, and traditionally referred with four different kinds of vegetation communities have been distin- to Pelsonian–Illyrian age. In the plant horizon not only a high amount guished: The coasts were probably characterised by a poorly diversified of plant fossils, but also bivalves, brachiopods, ammonoids, gastropods, flora composed only by alophytic lycophytes (Lycophyta gen. indet., fishes and a reptile have been preserved. The conservation of the terres- ?Isoetites, Annalepis). The lowland vegetation represented the highest trial and marine biota are presumably related to very rapid burial events variability, with an overstorey formed by the arboreous pteridosperms caused by gravity flows within a marine basin in connection with heavy (Scytophyllum), cycads (Bjuvia) and bennettialeans (Pterophyllum). In the storms in the terrestrial domain. “drier” zones, also conifers (Voltzia) could have been present in the over- The macroflora assemblage is composed of both sterile (shoots, storey, and in the swampiest areas arboreous horsetails (Equisetites, Neo- roots, stems, leaves) and fertile organs (fructifications, seeds, fertile calamites). The understorey, on the other hand, was probably composed leaves) belonging at least to 29 genera. It comprises the lycopods An- of small herbaceous ferns (Neuropteridium/Scolopendrites, Cladophlebis) nalepis, ?Isoetites, ?Selaginella and Lycophyta gen. indet.; the horsetails and shrubby conifers (Pelourdea, Albertia). The glades were occupied by Equisetites, Echinostachys and Neocalamites. Ferns are represented by some bigger herbaceous ferns (Anomopteris, Gordonopteris). Also the Anomopteris, Cladophlebis, Gordonopteris, Neuropteridium with its fertile upland vegetation shows poor variability as only conifers (Voltzia, Alber- foliage Scolopendrites, cf. Marattiopsis, Marantoidea and Sphenopteris; tia, Pelourdea) were resistant to prolonged periods of aridity. the pteridosperms by Sagenopteris, Scytophyllum with Peltaspermum Along the river banks the most hygrophytic taxa were growing, and Ptilozamites; the cycadophytes by Bjuvia, Nilssonia, Dioonitocarpid- such as arboreous horsetails (Equisetites, Neocalamites), herbaceous ium, Pterophyllum and Taeniopteris; the conifers by Albertia, Pelourdea ferns (Neuropteridium/Scolopendrites, Anomopteris, Gordonopteris) and and Voltzia. lycophytes (?Isoetites).

74 CHEIROLEPIDIACEOUS MICRO AND MACROREMAINS FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC CARNIAN OF NORTHERN ITALY

Evelyn Kustatscher1, Johanna H. A van Konijnenburg-van Cittert2, Guido Roghi3 and Natalia Zavialova4 1 Naturmuseum Südtirol, Bindergasse 1, I-39100 Bolzano, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, and National Natural History Museum Naturalis, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources – CNR, Via Garibaldi 37, 35137 Padova, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Laboratory of Palaeobotany, Palaeontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsoyusnaya str. 123, Moscow 117647, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Recently, abundant plant fossils have been collected from two lo- attention of palynomorphologists because of its striking similarity to calities in the Southern Alps. The macroflora from Dogna in the Julian the angiospermous exine, is not revealed in our material. However, col- Alps comes from levels belonging to a thick succession of subtidal clays, umellate-like ectexine is derivable from the granulate ectexine found in marls and bioturbated to nodular wackestone-packstones ascribed to Duplicisporites. Therefore, the pollen morphology proves a relationship the Rio del Lago Formation dated by ammonoids and palynomorphs between Circumpolles under study and Classopollis and a more primi- to the early Carnian. The second locality lies in the Dolomites. There, tive state of the former. a mixed clastic-carbonate succession belonging to the Heiligkreuz-San- The plant association includes well-preserved conifers and pteri- ta Croce Formation yielded a paleosoil with almost completely naturally dosperms, but also rare fern and horsetail remains. The seed fern re- macerated coniferal leaves and amber drops. The succession including mains are represented by frond fragments of Ptilozamites, ferns by frond the plant horizon and yielding a high amount of Circumpolles-type pol- fragments of Marantoidea and horsetails by stem fragments of Equise- len has been dated as uppermost Carnian to lowermost Tuvalian. tites. The conifers are represented both by shoots and less abundant The pollen grains with verrucate exine surface, circumpolar furrow fructifications with generally well-preserved cuticles. Several differ- (rimula) and small trilete proximal scar, belong to the same morphologi- ent conifer taxa have been distinguished, including a taxon character- cal group as Classopollis, a typical cheirolepidiaceous pollen, implying ised by well-preserved cuticles with cheirolepidiaceous affinity. These a similar or identical botanical affinity. In Duplicisporites the ultrastruc- shoots are up to 4 cm long and 1 cm wide and covered by well preserved ture of the rimula (an abruptly thinned ectexine and the endexine of delicate leaves, closely and spirally inserted on the axis. identical thickness as in other exinal regions) is analogous to that in Microscopic and UV studies of coniferous remains allow us to find Classopollis. Homogeneous endexine lacking any indications of lamel- fossil resin filled between the leaves yielding cuticles with cheirolepid- lations is also known in some members of the latter genus. It may rep- iaceous affinity. This group is common in the Jurassic and Cretaceous. resent a primitive state of this character, several variants of which are Only a few species are, however, attributed to this family from Upper known in members of Classopollis. The columellate-like ectexine, an Triassic sediments, especially from Northern America and from the Rha- ultrastructural characteristic of Classopollis that has long attracted the etian of Great Britain and France.

HORSETAILS, FERNS AND SEEDFERNS FROM THE MIDDLE TRIASSIC ANISIAN LOCALITY KÜHWIESENKOPF MONTE PR À DELLA VACCA IN THE DOLOMITES NORTHERN ITALY

Evelyn Kustatscher1, Michael Wachtler2 and Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert3 1 Naturmuseum Südtirol, Bindergasse 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 2 P.-P. Rainerstrasse 11, 39038 Innichen, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht and National Natural History Museum ‘Naturalis’, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

A few years ago a rich fossil horizon has been discovered within the dimensions, especially the Family Osmundaceae. Two species belong Anisian terrigenous-carbonatic succession of Kühwiesenkopf / Monte to the genus Neuropteridium (N. voltzii and N. elegans). Their respec- Prà della Vacca. The fossil horizon contains abundant plant remains, as tive fertile fronds have been assigned to the species Scolopendrites well as a single reptile and various marine biota (fishes, bivalves, brachi- scolopendrioides and S. grauvogelii. Anomopteris mougeotii Brongniart is opods, ammonoids, gastropods). Occurrence and preservation of fos- for the first time unequivocally recorded from Italy as well as the new sils are presumably related to very rapid burial events caused by gravity species Gordonopteris lorigae. Two ferns belonging to the Marattiaceae flows or very high sedimentary rate within a marine basin, connected are described and recorded for the first time from the Middle Triassic with heavy storms causing flooding in the nearby terrestrial domain. of Italy: ?Marattiopsis sp. and Marantoidea sp. Additionally, several leaf The flora is composed of both sterile (shoots, roots, stems, leaves) fragments have been attributed to Sphenopteris schoenleiniana, Clado- and fertile organs (fructifications, seeds, fertile fern leaves) from at least phlebis remota and Cladophlebis sp. to 29 genera belonging to the Lycophyta, Sphenophyta, Pteridophyta, Also seedferns are common and preserved both as leaf fragments Pteridospermae, Cycadophyta and Coniferophyta. and ovuliferous organs. The most abundant pteridosperm species is Scy- Horsetails are rather rare, with few stem-fragments and fructifi- tophyllum bergeri, both as sun and shade-leaves. They have been found cations preserved. The most frequent species is Equisetites mougeotii associated, although never in organic connection, with its ovuliferous (shoots and strobili), whereas only few nodal fragments of Neocalamites organs (discs) Peltaspermum bornemannii n. sp. Few leaf fragments at- and strobili of Echinostachys have so far been collected. tributed to the genera Sagenopteris and Ptilozamites occur as well. Ferns are well represented by frond and stem fragments of various

75 LIFE OF K AŠPAR MARIA STERNBERG

Jiří Kvaček National Museum, Prague, Václavské nám. 68, 115 79, Praha 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Kašpar M. Sternberg (1761–1838) represents one of the most impor- Kašpar M. Sternberg spent part of his life in Regensburg in Germany, tant Czech palaeobotanists with high international impact. He was the where he got scientific and political experience. Ideas from there he ap- first who paied attention to both botany and geology and understood plied in Bohemia. As a member of Czech nobility he financially and po- fossil plants in similar sense as we understand them today. He is gen- litically supported Czech science and Czech scientists. He understood erally accepted as a founder of modern palaeobotany and the date of importance of international scientific co-operation and communication. issue of his work Versuch einer geognostish botanishen Darstellung der His afford resulted in organizing the first international scientific confer- Flora der Vorwelt, 1820, is coded as a starting point of palaeobotanical ence in Prague. Sternberg was a leading person of a team, who in 1818 nomenclature. founded a Patriotic museum (now the National Museum, Prague).

PSEUDOASTEROPHYLLITES CRETACEA  HERBACEOUS MAGNOLIID ANGIOSPERM

Jiří Kvaček1, Reinhard Zetter2 and Bernard Gomez3 1 National Museum, Prague, Václavské nám. 68, 115 79, Praha 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 University of Vienna, Institute of Palaeontology, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Université de Rennes 1, Géosciences – UMR 6118, Bât 15, pièce 322 263, av. du Général Leclerc S 74205, 35042 Rennes, France, e-mail: [email protected]

Pseudoasterophyllites cretacea O. Feistmantel ex Velenovský origi- In situ pollen grains of Tucanopollis type are sulcate, oblate to sphe- nally described as a pteridophyte is reinterpreted as a magnoliid an- roidal, in polar view elliptic to circular, 18–24 μm in diameter. Aperture giosperm. The fossil plant occurs in in the Peruc Korycany Formation is broad and short, membrane thin often covered by echinate ubisch of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (Cenomanian of the Czech Repub- – bodies. Sculpture psilate (in LM), microechinate, perforate (in SEM). Ex- lic) and in the Cenomanian of France (Les Renardières in Charantes ine thick (1.5–2 μm), nexine 0.8–1 μm, short columellae, tectum 1–1.2 μm. Maritime). In both areas it occurs in association with massive tetraspo- Associations of stamens and twigs in several localities and the same cu- rangiate stamens. P. cretacea shows twigs bearing whorled leaves. The ticle pattern support the theory, that the stamens belong to P. cretacea. arrangement of the leaves within the whorl is decussate forming asyn- Combination of characters of P. cretacea precludes association with any chronous whorls. Leaves are lanceolate to linear, fleshy with short dec- modern taxon. The type of pollen grains and leaf arrangement (asyn- ussate bases. They are amphistomatic, bearing thick cuticle, consisting chronous whorls) remind some members of the Piperales (Peperomia). of isodiametric ordinary cells and paracytic stomata. The stamens are Epidermal characters – paracyrtic stomata and massive anthers open- massive (1 × 2–3 mm) dithecate, tetrasporangiate with a small triangu- ing by slits indicate members of ANITA group or Magnoliaceae. Delicate lar apical expansion of the connective. Its cuticle is bearing the same leafy twigs bearing small, linear amphistomatic leaves of P. cretacea we pattern and type of stomata as leaves of P. cretacea. Two pairs of pollen interpret as characters arguing for herbaceous habit. Its co-occurrence sacs are embedded in the tissue of the abaxial side of the stamen. Dehis- with Frenelopsis alata and other plants of the Frenelopsis assemblage cence is by longitudinal slits. suggests it was a halophyte.

VEGETATION OF THE EUROPEAN EOCENE  STATEOFTHE ART

Zlatko Kvaček Charles University, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Problems that hinder production of maps of potential Eocene veg- versity of conifers, 2) Broad-leaved nothophyllous evergreen forest etation in Europe are the complex palaeogeography including relief with evergreen Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Altingiaceae, Myrtaceae and influenced by orogeny; the variations in global climate, atmospheric some conifers, and 3) Mixed mesophytic forest with well diversified circulation and the world oceans; and the extinct flora. Furthermore, angiosperms both evergreen and deciduous and moderate represen- Eocene sites in Europe are widely spaced and of different ages. The tation of conifers and ferns. Azonal vegetation formations include newly developed system of vegetation units for the European Neo- riparian gallery forests, poorly developed mangroves and wetland/ gene can only partly be employed for the Eocene. The differences aquatic vegetation. As the composition of palynospectra shows, the between zonal, azonal and extrazonal vegetation formations and the Eocene high mountain extrazonal vegetation was probably less dis- impact of precipitation have been shown to be extremely important. tinct and surely less diversified in Europe than during the Neogene, Objective definitions of Eocene vegetation units based on diversity consisting mostly of pine forests. percentages of components have still to be produced. The palaeobo- An attempt will be made to follow the extent of the listed zonal tanical data so far available enable intuitive distinction of three zonal forest types through time and space across Europe. Phytogeographi- units: 1) Broad-leaved evergreen/semi-evergreen quasi-paratropical cal relationships of Europe within the Northern Hemisphere will also be forest with a high diversity of woody angiosperms, ferns and low di- considered.

76 VOLCANIC AND RIPARIAN SETTINGS DURING THE LATE EOCENE IN NORTH BOHEMIA

Zlatko Kvaček Charles University, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

New elements for the Late Eocene volcanic sites in the North Bo- níky, dated radiometrically into the latest Eocene contain many Arcto hemian České středohoří Mountains, in particular for the diatomite of Tertiary deciduous broad-leaved elements (Ostrya, etc.) and represent Kučlín, are reported. The deposition took place in an extensive lake sys- further step in cooling trends at the end of the Eocene. The lateral equiv- tem, which was connected with rivers that accumulated deposits with alent of the lowermost part of the volcanic complexes in North Bohe- the Staré Sedlo and the Zeitz assemblages, as the fish fauna corrobo- mia is the Staré Sedlo Formation. Its flora is less diversified than that of rates. A profound difference between mesic forests of the volcanic set- Kučlín and dominated by evergreen Lauraceae and Fagaceae. It shares tings and the riparian gallery forests can be stated. The Kučlín flora is in aspects with the Zeitz floral assemblage in Germany. The environment aspects similar to those of the Middle Eocene sites in Germany (Messel, influenced in all these mentioned cases more drastically the composi- Eckfeld), still containing younger elements (e.g. Sloanea nimrodi, Plata- tion of plant assemblages than the evolution in time. The global impact nus neptuni forma reussii) shared with the Oligocene floras in Germany of climatic changes is well apparent when equivalent settings of ancient (Haselbach). The aspects of post Grand-Coupure assemblage at Roud- vegetation are compared.

HOLOCENE CLIMATIC OPTIMUMS AND HUMAN IMPACT IN MOUNTAINS OF GEORGIA

Eliso Kvavadze L. Davitashvili Institute of Palaeobiology, Potochnay-Niagvris Str. 4, Tbilisi 8, 0108, Georgia, e-mail: [email protected]

The palynological study of numerous profiles of Holocene sediments indicators, besides Cerealia, the pollen of Juglans regia, Corylus, Vitis vin- at different altitudes of the Georgian mountains as well as the study of ifera growing in the gardens of that time reaches its maximum content. cultural layers of archaeological monuments showed the presence of six This feature manifests itself most vividly in the material of archaeological main climatic optimums given in the regional standard diagrams. There monuments of the Early Bronze Age (Kuro-Araks culture) at the altitudes were three most important and strong warmings. This is an Atlantic op- of 1 450–1 800 m. Combination of maximum Juglans-Corylus-Vitis pollen timum between 6 000 and 5 500 Cal. yr BP. In Western Georgia, the upper coincides with the Quercus iberica maximum that is also a good indicator tree line was elevated by as much as 300 m above its present-day level. In of warming in the mentioned region. the mountains of the South-Georgian plateau the tree line may be 500– A significant optimum is recorded in Late Holocene pollen spectra 600 m higher. Here, due to the unique character of the relief characterized dating to 3 800–2 500 Cal. yr. BP. In Western Georgia the area of chestnut by combination of volcanic straightened plateau-like forms and steep forests increases, whereas in Eastern Georgia – that of Zelkova and oak mountains the trend in the climate development and the character of forests. Man again is engaged in high mountain agriculture. Grain farm- human activity is perfectly observed, since man cultivated essentially the ing, winemaking, gardening and bee keeping developed in the moun- plain territories and vegetation of the surrounding mountains remained tains at the altitudes of 1 600–1 700 m. However, at that time man did not almost undisturbed. In pollen diagrams the human impact not only does completely destroy mountain forests. not suppresses the climatic signals, but, on the contrary, enhances them. The latest significant optimum is recorded within 1 350–800 Cal. At that time both grain farming and gardening, including wine growing, yr BP. The impact of human activity on vegetation becomes more per- are being developed on high mountain plateaus. The development of in- ceptible. Deforestation of not only plain territories, but also of steeper tensive agriculture here was facilitated not only by climate warming, but mountain slopes takes place. In this period there appear semi-forested also by fertile mountain soils formed on volcanic basic rocks. For pollen landscapes, which for the last centuries, completely turned in many spectra of the period under consideration, in the group of anthropogenic places into deforested cultural landscapes.

AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH TO THE PALYNOLOGY OF REMAINS FROM MIDDLE BRONZE AGE BURIAL IN SAPHARKHAR ABA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA

Eliso Kvavadze1 and Goderdzi Narimanishvili2 1 L. Davitashvili Institute of Palaeobiologi, Potochnay-Niagvris Str. 4, Tbilisi 8, 0108, Georgia, e-mail: [email protected]; 2 O. Lordkipanidze Centre for Archaeological studies, Uznadze Str.14, Tbilisi 2, 0102, Georgia, e-mail: [email protected]

According to archaeological data of the 15–14th centuries BC, a large man’s habitat. At present this hair quality is used in forensic-medical ex- number of samples from pots and in the area of skeleton location were amination in criminalistics. studied from ten graves of the Saphar-Kharaba burial ground. Pollen The teeth material does not contain many palenomorphs. However, spectra of the material taken under the skull, between the teeth, in the pollen grains themselves are perfectly well-preserved. The pollen spec- belly, under the thighbone and at the feet of dead persons appeared to trum of teeth consists, essentially, of pollen of food plants, reflecting be most interesting and informative. the ration of that time. In many cases pollen grains of medicinal herbs In the samples taken under the skull up to 40–45 taxa have been are recorded, the brew of which might have been used by a decades discovered. The amount of pollen itself is, on the average, 150–200 and during his last days. Of great importance is also the fact that the pollen more. Here, the rests of human fair hair have also been found. Precisely spectrum of the remnants of the mouth cavity is fully represented in the hair exhibits a high amount of pollen and spores of the plants of the spectrum of samples taken from the belly area. Pollen and spores in the

77 peritoneum material are also well preserved. However, here the pollen fragments were found under thigh, knee, elbow and shoulder areas. The content is much higher than in the teeth. The pollen treated with man’s fiber remnants of cotton, flax and wool are established. The cotton pre- saliva and gastric juice shows no intensive coloring. It is spherical and dominates. The discovery of cotton fibers is new and very important for perfectly preserved. This pollen is easily distinguished from that taken the Caucasus region, as its witness about old trade. from buried soils and other sediments. For the belly spectrum the pres- One should also mention the fact that under women’s skulls a high- ence of spores of coprophilous fungi (Sordaria, Neurospora, Sporormiella er amount of fibers compared to men’s (more than twice) is calculated. genus) is also characteristic. In three graves we found eggs of human This circumstance proves the opinion that according to traditions of that parasites. These are armed tapeworms (Taenia solium) and fasciola (Fas- time women always wore big, long shawls and scarves. Men wore leath- ciola hepatica). Ascospores of coprophages and eggs of parasites are ern caps. also found in the feet area, per hard, from the rests of footwear of the Thus, the results obtained show high significance and a promising dead person. character of these studies not only to reconstruct palaeoecological con- In addition to ascospores and eggs of human parasites in the group ditions and economic activity of old man, but also to find out traditions, of non pollen fossils the remnants of fibers and thread of fabric used palaeomedicine, diet, commercial tie, sanitation and many other prob- for the clothes and shroud of the deceased were found. Most of fiber lems.

PALYNOLOGICAL AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS OF LATE QUATERNARY SEQUENCES FROM THE EASTERN MEDITERR ANEAN SEA

Dafna Kadosh Langgut Laboratory of Palynology, Zinman Institute of Archaeology, the University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, 31905, Israel

The present study compares high resolution pollen and isotopic early phase of MIS 3 is characterized by high AP levels and low values records covering the last ~90 ka from two Mediterranean cores: VALPAMED of Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae indicating more humid conditions, 95-09 located off the southern Israeli coast, at 884 m water depth, and VAL- with some cooling (i.e., peaks in Cedrus and Abies). Later (the end of MIS PAMED 95-01 located south east of Cyprus, at 980 m water depth. 3 and beginning of MIS 2) a sharp decrease in AP levels and a simulta- The chronological framework is based on the identification of sapro- neous rise in Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae ratios typify the dry Last pels and the matching of δ18O records of both cores with the well-dated Glacial Maximum (LGM) (around 24–18 ka). Considerably wetter condi- U-Th high-resolution speleothems record from the Soreq Cave (Israel). tions returned during the Late Glacial. The Holocene is characterized by The results show that the southern Levantine Basin core (95-09) is relatively high AP levels, mainly Pinus and Quercus, suggesting that the characterized by higher sedimentation rates, greater pollen concentra- Mediterranean maquis was more extensive in the area and that precipi- tions and taxa variability and a better state of preservation of pollen tation was relatively higher. grains than the northern Levantine Basin core (95-01). This is probably Sapropel 1 and 3 (around 9–7 ka and ~84 ka respectively), are easily due to the greater distance of the latter from the Nile River. The δ18O recognized by the high concentrations and good state of preservation records of both cores show similar trends and accord well with the Arbo- of pollen grains that, in turn, accord with the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) real Pollen/Non Arboreal Pollen (AP/NAP) curves. measurements carried out on the same cores. Several trends typify the sequences that span from the end of Ma- Several abrupt climatological events were also recognized through- rine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 5 to the Holocene: after a relatively humid pe- out the record, such as the pluvial event at ~54 ka, and the cold, dry riod the beginning of the last glacial (MIS 4) shows some drying. The event around 8.2 ka.

VEGETATION DYNAMICS DURING THE LATE GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE IN THE NORTHERN UR AL MOUNTAINS

Elena G. Lapteva Department of Geography, Moscow State University, Lenin Gory, Moscow, 119992, Russia

This study is aimed to reconstruct the vegetation history of the The pollen data describing the Late Glacial Maximum are not re- Northern Ural Mountains during the last 50 000 years using fossil pollen ceived for the present. data. Palynological data from cave and rock shelter sites suggest that in The final Lateglacial period during the time-span of 13–10 ka ago the Late Glacial period before the Glacial Maximum (50–25 ka BP) the were characterized by palynological data from sediments of the Kakva periglacial steppe was the prevailing vegetation type. In this interval the cave. In this interval the periglacial forest steppe was widespread. The two periods of a cold snap (45–42 ka BP and 36–32 ka BP) and the period Oldest Dryas period was defined by a radiocarbon age of 12630 ± 80 yr of warming (32–25 ka BP) may be distinguished. During stages of a cold BP (SDAS-5141). Bunchgrass-goosefoot steppe communities and pine- snap, dwarf birch (Betula sect. Nanae) and grass-wormwood communi- birch forest formations dominated, climate was cold and damp. Radio- ties dominated; and assemblages including goosefoot (Chenopodiace- carbon data 10555 ± 65 yr BP (SDAS -5140) corresponds to the Yanger Dr- ae) were widespread on disturbed soils. Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and birch yas period. Domination of goosefoot-wormwood steppe communities, (Betula sp.) were very minor components of the vegetation. According to increase of dwarf birch assemblages and decrease of pine-birch forest radiocarbon dates – 26480 ± 840 (ОхА-10926), 28520 ± 840 (АА-36469), formations marked this dry cooling. 31500 ± 1200 (АА-36470) from the lower layer of Cheremuhovo cave Pollen dates suggest that in the Holocene period forest formations deposits the period of warming may be compared to Bryansk Intersta- began to predominate in vegetation cover of the Northern Ural Moun- dial of Valdai Glaciation in the Late Pleistocene,. In this warming grass- tains. Based on paleotheriological and archaeological materials and wormwood communities remained dominant and the role of steppe radiocarbon records it was possible to date separate climatic stages of herbs increased at rising of humidity. However, pollen data suggest that the Holocene. The Early Preboreal warming was marked by an abrupt during this interval the episode of cooling has occurred, when moisture change in the composition of pollen spectra, dominated by arboreal decreased and dwarf birch communities increased. and shrub species. In that time spruce (Picea sp.) and pine-birch light

78 forest formations prevailed. Based on palynological data, the Holocene and elm, and expansion pine forests with birch and spruce about 2,5 ka Atlantic Optimum was observed 6–5 ka ago. Mixed broad-leaved-conif- BP. Modern middle taiga forests with pine, spruce, birch and linden in erous forest with spruce, pine, birch, linden (Tilia cordata) and elm (Ulmus the southern part of the Northern Ural Mountains on their eastern slope sp.) grew during the damp warming maximum. The Late Subboreal dry arose in the Subatlantic warming approximately 1000 yr ago. cooling was defined by decrease of broad-leaved species, such as linden

ECOLOGICAL FACTORS CONTROLLING THE LATE HOLOCENE EXPANSION OF HORNBEAM CARPINUS BETULUS L. AND BEECH FAGUS SYLVATICA L. FORESTS IN NORTHERN POLAND

Malgorzata Latałowa1, Anna Pędziszewska1 and Joanna Święta-Musznicka1 1 Laboratory of Palaeoecology and Archaeobotany, Dept. of Plant Ecology, University of Gdańsk, Al. Legionów 9, 80-441 Gdańsk, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

Pollen analysis from a number of sites in northern Pomerania, NW cies, the expansion-regression patterns were strictly dependent on hu- Poland, displays the late Holocene history of hornbeam (Carpinus betu- man activity. lus L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in the conditions of changing In the western part of the region (Wolin Island) the main beech climate and different levels of prehistoric and historic human activities. expansion started immediately after a decline of the Lusatian culture Combination of pollen data from lakes, mires and small forest hollows (ca. 2400 BP) in the condition of a virtual lack of competition from horn- helps to select local and regional patterns in the forest dynamics. Other beam. In the central part of the region the main beech expansion was palaeoenvironmental proxies as macrofossils, non-pollen microfossils preceded by a culmination by hornbeam and took place ca. 1 thousand including selected forms of rhizopods and minerogenic matter content years later. In the east beech started to expand contemporary to almost in sediments, support the reconstruction of the role played by man and final decline of hornbeam, in the medieval period only. climate in particular stages of forests transformation. A further analysis based on palaeoecological data from several sites Spatial and temporal analysis of the pollen data indicates different in the Kashubian Lake District (eastern part of the region) shows compli- schemes of hornbeam and beech expansion in different parts of the cated patterns of hornbeam and beech expansion dependent on local region. The eastward migration of beech was clearly delayed by com- conditions. It indicates importance of the interactions between climate, petition with hornbeam, however, in the last phase, beech expansion soil conditions and human impact for the forest succession. strongly restricted occurrence of oak-hornbeam forests. For both spe-

PALEOFLOR A FROM VALJEVOMIONICA BASIN SERBIA

Zorica Lazarević and Djordje Mihajlović1 1 Institute of Regional geology and Paleontology, Faculty of Mining and Geology, Belgrade 11000, Serbia, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Valjevo-Mionica basin is situated in central Serbia. During the last resentatives of broadleaved evergreen forest Laurophyllum, Laurus, few years a number of fossil specimens significantly increased. Speci- Daphogene. Representatives of temperate-continental vegetation are mens originate from several localities in the vicinity of Valjevo. represented by Ulmus, Zelkova, Quercus kubinyii, Salix. Remains of Glyp- Plant fossil remains originate from marlstone and sandy marlstone. In tostrobus and Myrica refer to swamp habitats. all localities paleovegetation and paleoecological conditions were similar. Most of leaf imprints are small microphyllous leaves with etnire mar- Most common are leaves imprints of Angiosperms, especially Lau- gin. reaceae. Paleotropical elements of vegetation are slightly prevailing, Comparing the paleovegetation of the Valjevo-Mionica Basin with but arctotertiary elements are also represented. other floras from Serbia, it can be concluded that the age of the sedi- In paleovegetation of the Valjevo-Mionica Basin dominate rep- ments with fossil plant remains is Early Miocene.

HOLOCENE PALYNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN THE CENTR AL DANUBIAN PLAIN NORTH BULGARIA

Maruia Lazarova Institute of Botany, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 23, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria, e-mail: [email protected]

The Holocene paleo-succession cycle for the region of the Central nities dominated in Middle Boreal time (8 620 BP). During the Holocene Danubian plain (North Bulgaria) is established for the first time, based climatic optimum (8 000–5 000 BP) tree vegetation increased and the on the palynological data obtained from three boreholes and nine 14C general physiognomy of the vegetation was transformed to forest- dates. The reconstruction of the vegetation provides an opportunity to steppe. The consequent changing of the vegetation during Subboreal trace the trends in the vegetation dynamics and the factors decisive for and Subatlantic was influenced by the continuous dynamic processes its formation since 8 600 BP until the establishment of the modern veg- determined by various ecological factors, changing of climate and most- etation communities. ly by human impact, which was the most decisive factor particularly in In the region of the Central Danubian plain herb xerophytic commu- areas as the Danubian plain, starting almost from the Neolithic time.

79 UPPER CRETACEOUS WOODY STRUCTURES AND ASSOCIATED MICROFLOR AL DATA FROM WESTERN FR ANCE

Julien Legrand1, Jean-Marc Viaud2, Daniel Pouit3 and Denise Pons1 1 Equipe “Paléodiversité, Systématique et Evolution des Embryophytes“, UMR 5143 CNRS “Paléobiodiversité et Paléoenvironnements“, Laboratoire de Paléobotanique et Paléoécologie, UPMC, 12 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France, e-mail: [email protected] 2 19 impasse Jean Goujon, 85000 La Roche-sur-Yon , France 3 182 avenue Pasteur, 49100 Angers, France

The Upper Cretaceous of Western France is mostly known by its carried out in the Senonian claystones located North of the sites of La microfloral studies because very few macrofloral localities have been Garnache in allowing us to better understand the microfloral diversity of described. New sites discovered near Challans, Vendée and in Anjou this area, and to be more specific about its age.In the Senonian depos- yielded new types of woody structures. With the description of this its, we identified a petiole which shows a C-shaped stelar structure typi- macroflora, a study of the micro-remains was also undertaken, which al- cal of the Mesozoic fern genus Osmundacaulis. Three samples of wood lowed a comparison with previous studies and helped in giving the age have been attributed to the morphotaxon Protopodocarpoxylon Eckhold, of the locality as well. 1922. This genus can be related to the Cheirolepidiaceae, an extinct fam- Within the studied microflora from La Garnache, Vendée, Dinoflagel- ily of Conifers whose pollen corresponds to the genus Classopollis, also lates and foraminifers have been found indicating a marine environment, found in the palynological assemblage. In Vendée, they often occur at associated with some ferns spores, conifers pollen grains (Cheirolepid- the seaside, and some authors consider their ecological niche as simi- iaceae, various Taxodiaceae located in a lakeside environment, Pinaceae, lar to that of the present mangrove trees. As indicated by the micro-re- Podocarpaceae) and angiosperms pollen grains. We identified 16 gen- mains, this littoral margin should be located in an area of lagoons and era and 22 species of spores and pollen grains, forming a Normapolles brackish swamps, with low marine-influenced and still waters, evoking dominated association. Normapolles are a major and biostratigraphi- a landscape of a wide ramified mangrove occupying all the depressions. cally significant element of several Upper Cretaceous and Lower Terti- While performing this study, we also discovered a wood which seems ary microfloras. They suffered a maximal evolutionary rate during the to belong to a new gymnosperm genus. This coniferous-like wood dis- Senonian, which coincides with a wide transgression and an extension plays affinities with the Bennettitalean woody structures. We identified of epicontinental seas. This extension brought a marked floristic provin- Ginkgoxylon gruetii Pons & Vozenin Serra 1992 from a Cenomanian out- cialism in the Northern Hemisphere and acted, via climatic changes, as crop of Brézé (Anjou), and compared it with another sample of the same a major evolutionary factor in low and middle latitudes. These grains in- age previously discovered near Angers. The two structures share many dicate a land environment with a subtropical to warm temperate climate, similarities: presence of irregular growth rings, radial abietinean pittings, and well show the location of Vendée in the Cretaceous, at the edge of and similar rays associated with an abundant vertical parenchyma with the continent. Our study complements the results of previous studies numerous bulliform and crystalliferous cells.

PALYNOMORPH ASSEMBLAGES FROM A MIOCENE VOLCANICLASTIC SECTION IN CENTR AL MEXICO TEPOZTLÁN FORMATION: EVIDENCE FOR PALAEOENVIRON MENTAL CHANGES

Nils Lenhardt1, Enrique Martinez-Hernandez2, Annette E. Götz3, Matthias Hinderer1 and Jens Hornung1 1 Institute of Applied Geosciences, Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Instituto de Geologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, DF, Mexico 3 Institute of Geosciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

To date, palaeobotany in volcanic settings has dealt with interca- The samples reveal a diverse pollen and spore assemblage, enabling lated sediments namely paleosols, fluvial volcaniclastic sandstones, a first palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Tepoztlán Formation. peat or lignites. Even when authors worked on tuffaceous material, they Pollen assemblages dominated by pollen types of Caryophyllaceae, focussed on either the macroflora or charcoals. Publications on palynol- Chenopodiaceae, Asteraceae and Cupressaceae indicate dry conditions, ogy in pyroclastic rocks and their reworked deposits (lahars) are rare. whereas spore dominated associations accompanied by Cyperaceae In this study we investigated a volcaniclastic section of the Mid-Mi- pollen types indicate wet to aquatic conditions. Dry and wet conditions ocene Tepoztlán Formation with respect to palaeoenvironment using are alternating and interpreted in terms of destruction-recolonization palynology. The Tepoztlán Formation crops out in the States of Morelos cycles of the vegetation which are controlled by volcanic eruptions and Estado de Mexico and consists of pyroclastic flows, volcanic debris- and intermittent quiencence. Present day vegetation of Central Europe flows (lahars), dacitic lava flows, and intercalated fluvial or lacustrine is very similar to that recorded in the Tepoztlán section. Thus, a rather sediments, attaining a total thickness of several hundred meters. K/Ar temperate climate is appropriate for the depositional environment of geochronology on some lava flows has revealed an age of about Early the Tepoztlán Formation. to Mid-Miocene. Our results show that palynology is a powerful tool in reconstruc- For palynological analyses we investigated the fine-grained matrix tion of pyroclastic settings and, therefore, the Tepoztlán section is seen of lahars, ash-flow deposits, and clayey layers on top of those deposits. as a new reference section in Central Mexico.

80 CLIMATIC AND VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN THE MIDDLE EOCENE: ORBITAL SIGNATURES IN THE OIL SHALE OF MESSEL GERMANY  A PALYNOLOGICAL APPROACH

Olaf K. Lenz1, 2, Volker Wilde2 and Walther Riegel1, 2 1 Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum Göttingen, Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstrasse 3, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Sektion Paläobotanik, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Due to its unique fossil assemblages the opencast mine “Grube any cycles and trends in the development of vegetation surrounding the Messel” has become the only German site on the UNESCO world natural Messel lake, which are within the range of the Milankovitch frequency heritage list. Despite a great number of publications mainly concerned band. Several statistical tests have been applied to our data since fluctua- with certain fossils the origin of the deposit was highly disputed thus tions in assemblage composition are too small to permit clear recognition far. Finally, in 2001 a scientific well was drilled at the center of the ba- of cycles and trends from conventional pollen diagrams. sin revealing thick pyroclastic deposits below the lake sediments, thus In addition to the classical method of spectral (autoregressive) time demonstrating that the Messel oil shale was deposited in a maar lake series analysis, the wavelet analysis has been applied and introduced to following a phreatomagmatic eruption during the Middle Eocene. palynological studies for the first time. In contrast to the spectral analy- The new drill core provided a complete reference section of the sis which shows the frequency of a single cycle, the wavelet analysis al- Middle Eocene lake deposits. After an initial stage characterized by un- lows the recognition of individual main cycles within a time frame. Some stable conditions and recolonization of the devastated area, the finely examples are presented to demonstrate that the pollen rain preserved laminated oil shale was deposited under stable meromictic conditions. in the Messel oil shale reflects the 100, 41 and 21 ka Milankovitch cycles Maar lake deposits have hitherto been used very successfully as ac- as well as cycles on a sub-Milankovitch level. In addition, the wavelet curate archives of climatic changes during the Quaternary catching the analysis reveals the effects of mutual influence and superposition of cy- regional pollen rain without external disturbance. On the basis of the cles. Thus it may be possible to show on the basis of pollen assemblages new core an attempt is made here to detect any cyclic climatic fluctua- that the superposition of cycles may have led at certain times to particu- tions which may have occurred over a period of several hundred thou- larly favourable climatic conditions promoting the advance of specific sand years during the relativley stable Middle Eocene climate. For that plant associations. purpose palynological analysis has been carried out on 470 samples The wavelet analysis allows interpretations of data sets which can- taken from 94 m of oil shale at 20 cm intervals each representing about not be obtained by other techniques. It is, therefore, particularly suited 1500 years according to calculated sedimentation rates. to visualize time series since it permits resolution of frequencies as well This temporal resolution can be considered as sufficient to document as time.

VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF MESSEL GERMANY: THE INITIAL PHASE OF A MAAR LAKE FROM PALYNOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Olaf K. Lenz1, 2, Volker Wilde2, and Walther Riegel1, 2 1 Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum Göttingen, Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstrasse 3, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Sektion Paläobotanik, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

The former oil shale mine of Messel is one of the world’s best known etation. During this process a pioneering succession developed accord- “Fossillagerstätten” and was added the UNESCO list of world nature ing to the different dispersal and growth strategies of the various plant heritage sites “as a window to the past” in 1995. Because of their unique species involved. As the crater filled with water this recolonization was lithology and fossil assemblages the Middle Eocene lake sediments documented by pollen and spores trapped and preserved in the lake were defined as “Messel Formation”. They consist mainly of highly bi- sediments. In addition, dinoflagellate cysts indicate changes in hydro- tuminous shales which were deposited in a meromictic lake about 47 logic conditions within the lake. million years ago. For many years in the past the origin of the Middle The initial phase of the lake can be differentiated in an early (Early Eocene Lake Messel has been the subject of an intense discussion of Initial Lake Phase) and a late phase (Late Initial Lake Phase). During the various tectonic and volcanic scenarios. In order to find unequivocal early phase unstable crater walls and holomictic conditions with good proof for one or the other opinion a scientific well was drilled in 2001 to aeration of the water body predominated. Mainly sand, silt and clay were penetrate the lake sediments and to drill as deeply as possible into the deposited. The crater margins and slopes were settled with a fast-grow- underlying rocks. By drilling into more than 200 m of pyroclastic rocks ing pioneering vegetation, which consisted mainly of a diverse fern as- and diatrem breccias below the oil shale it has been demonstrated be- sociation. Rapidly growing small trees and shrubs including palms and yond doubt that the Messel site represents a maar diatreme. The new Aquifoliaceae soon followed and invaded the herbaceous cover. With core allowed a palynological study of the initial phase of the lake for increasing slope stability, the transition from holomictic to meromictic the first time. conditions took place at the end of the Early Initial Lake Phase. Further 114 samples from the initial phase of the lake (Lower Messel Forma- fast-growing plants advanced into the crater from the vegetation of tion) were palynologically studied and analysed by applying a combina- the lake surroundings, e.g. Ulmaceae (Cedrelospermum) or Myricaceae tion of statistical methods (TWINSPAN cluster analysis, Correspondence (Comptonia). This interval is sedimentologically characterized by a mass analysis). This allowed for the reconstruction of the gradual decolonisa- flow, with mass occurrences of freshwater dinoflagellates, Restionaceae tion of the devastated area around the crater. pollen as well as some fern spores. Subsequently, increasingly stable After the eruptions ceased the newly formed barren surface of the meromictic conditions and sedimentation of oil shale developed during crater wall and its surrounding areas was gradually reoccupied by veg- the Late Initial Lake Phase. The regional vegetation finally advanced into

81 the immediate crater area, whereby the recolonization took place in suc- zonal vegetation. The eruption, which resulted in the formation of the cession, depending on the modes of dispersal and growth and habitat maar lake, apparently had no serious affects on the composition of the requirements of its member species. vegetation. Thus, after the stabilization of the crater area, the previously Recolonization of the crater area was completed by the return of the existing vegetation returned almost unchanged into the crater area.

PROPOSAL OF THE NEW CLASSIFICATION OF PALAEOZOIC SPHENOPHYLLALEAN CONES

Milan Libertín1 and Jiří Bek2 1National Museum, Václavské náměstí 68, 115 79 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Palaeoecology, Institute of Geology, Academy of Science, Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The long history of the research of bowmanitalean cones begun which are not 3D preserved and their spores. Most of papers dealing in 1822 when Brongniart erected the genus Sphenophyllites. Presl with Bowmanitaceae reported only formal leafy or organ taxa. Organ (1838) was probably the first who described compression specimen of taxa are based on anatomical (coal-balls) or on the morphological data a sphenophyllalean cone as Rotularia marsileafolia. There are several (compression – impression). The fundament of taxonomic classification genera concerning sphenophyllalean plants including those of Sphe- are cones and their spores. It is possible to determine and characterise nophyllum, Rotularia, Volkmania, Bowmanites, Sphenophyllostachys natural taxa and revoke parataxa proposed for the different modes of and others. There are two main approaches concerning the division the preservation. Sterile stems with connected reproductive organs are of sphenophyllalean cones. The first was published by Hoskins and classified as Bowmanites. The genus Sphenophyllum is defined only for Cross (1943), who divided sphenophyllalean cones into three groups leaves which are not associated with reproductive organs (Simplices, Jugati and Conferti) based on the number of sporangia per It is possible to divide Westphalian and Stephanian species of Bow- sporangiophore and their position on a sporangiophore. The second manites into five groups. The first group is represented by sphenophylls aproach was suggested by Remy (1955), who proposed three groups- with decumbent and only a few decimeters long stems lacking climb- genera of sphenophyllalean cones, Koinostachys, Aspidiostachys and ing organs. Cones are simple with unbranched sporangiophores. These Anastachys. Boureau et al. (1964) proposed the division of sphenophyl- cones produced miospores of the Punctatisporites obesus-type. Sphe- lalean cones into three families: Sphenophyllaceae (including genera nophylls of the second group possess decumbent stems often more Sphenophyllostachys, Peltastrobus, Sphenostrobus and Litostrobus), than one meter long. Leaves on older stems are prominently divided Cheirostrobaceae (only genus Cheirostrobus Scott) and Tristachyaceae with hook-like tips. Cones possess branched and unbranched sporangi- (only genus Tristachya Lilpop). In situ spores of sphenophylls were re- ophores and yielded miospores of the Vestispora-type. ported mainly by Hoskins and Cross (1943), Remy (1955), T.N. Taylor Liana-like sphenophylls with stems a few metres long belong to the (1969, 1970), Barthel (1976), W.A. Taylor (1968), Good (1978) and Serret third group. Almost all leaves (excluding the youngest) have hook-like and Brousmiche (1987). tips. Cones are only slightly compact with branched sporangiophores Previous division and classification of sphenophylls is based only bearing pyriform sporangia produced monolete miospores of the Laevi- on their pure morphology and excluded evolutionary trends, cones gatosporites-Latosporites-type.

PRIMITIVE GALLERY FOREST FROM THE INTR ASUDETIC BASINS DUCKMANTIAN, CZECH REPUBLIC

Milan Libertín 1 and Jiřina Dašková 2 1 National museum, Václavské náměsti 68, 115 79 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Palaeoecology, Rozvojová 135, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The Intrasudetic Basin is a part of the Late Palaeozoic Continental Dominate fossil plants: Paripteris gigantea (Sternberg) Gothan, Mari- Basins of the Bohemian Massif. The studied Duckmantian horizons 9 opteris muricata (Schlotheim) Zeiller. and 10 overlying coal seems of the Odolov Formation are exposed in the Accessories: Alethopteris valida Boulay 1876, Linopteris neuropteroides f. open-cast mine situated near by the town of Žacléř. major Göppert, Lonchopteris rugosa Brongniart, Pecopteris plumosa (Artis) Methods: One square meter of every fossiliferous layer was succes- Brongniart, Palmatopteris furcata (Brongniart) H. Potonié, Sphenophyllum sively removed from the top towards the base and each plant fossil was cuneifoliun (Sternberg) Zeiller, Trigonocarpus noeggerathi Sternberg. recorded. The plant fragments were classified in categories: axis and trunks (> 10 cm), coarse (5–10 cm), medium (1–5 cm), small (< 1 cm). Their 2. Vegetation of the planar peat swamp (arborescent vegetation): abundances were classified as: rare (1–5 pieces), common (6–25 pieces), The vegetation grows in a rheotrophic peat bog with predomina- abundant (> 25 pieces). tion of eutrophic conditions (high degree of ash content, frequent oc- Palaeoenvironmental model of the area: Using palaeobotanical currence of clay bands). Thick laminae of vitrite (up to 10 cm) in dull- and sedimenological data plant taphocenoses are divided into: autoch- banded coal prove presence of arborescent vegetation. thonous, sub-autochthonous and allochthonous. Based on the later five Facies: diagonally and ripple bedding and horizontally laminated different phytocenoses were reconstructed: sandstones, siltstones, clayey siltstone or massive. Sediments con- tain large size of the fragments of fossil plants of the planar peat and 1. Vegetation of the proximal channel banks: paleosols with root horizons. They often contain allochthonous pteri- Facies: fine-grained laminated sandstone fades into ripple bedded dosperm leaves from the area of flooding – vegetation of the distal river- sandstone. The lithology and texture are identical with the recent cre- banks. These sediments are interpreted as flood deposits and deposits vasse-splay sediments. Autochthonous and allochthonous plant fossils of the swamp stagnant water, ingrowing by roots of Stigmaria. (coarse and medium fragments) originated from the vegetation of the Dominate fossil plants: Lepidodendron acutum (Presl) Kidston, Lepido- aggradation bar. The plants were shortly transported in the dynamic dendron obovatum Sternberg, Lepidodendron simile Kidston in Jongmans. environment. Accessories: Lepidodendron aculeatum Sternberg, Lepidofloyos lar-

82 icinus Sternberg, Sphenophyllum cuneifolium (Sternberg) Zeiller, Astero- 4. Vegetation of unstable substrates phyllites aff. longifolius (Sternberg) Brongniart, Calamostachys intermedia Facies: Sediments of massive sandstones with well-worked grains Němejc, Lepidostrobus aff. sternbergi Corda, Lepidostrobus aff. lycopoditis show positive gradation. These sediments originate in alluvial fans of Feistmantel, Mariopteris muricata (Schlotheim) Zeiller. lateral valleys reaching the floodplain. Fossil fragments are of medium size. Trunks of Calamites represent the most abundant fossils. They 3. Vegetation of the floodplain formed monodominant stands. Facies: Changing bedded sandstones, siltstones and clayey silt- Dominate fossil plants: Calamites (Diplocalamites) carinatus Stern- stones, fractured by bioturbation and plant roots. The sediments con- berg, Calamites schützeiformis Kidston et Jongmans. tain subautochtonous plant tephocenose shortly transported within the flood plain. Type of the floodplain vegetation was driven by sub- 5. Vegetation of valley slopes strate. Well-drained substrates hosted pteridosperms and ferns. Poorly Facies: Varicoloured, well-sorted, bedded, medium-grained arcose drained substrates hosted lycophytes. sandstones. They represent sediments transported probably from the Well-drained substrats: Dominate fossil plants: Mariopteris muricata hillside of the basin. This vegetation included shrubby habitats on the (Schlotheim) Zeiller, Pecopteris plumosa (Artis) Brongniart, Paripteris gi- of the main and lateral river valley slopes. During periodical floods leaf gantea (Sternberg) Gothan. litter of this vegetation was transported and deposited in the sediments Accessories: Neuropteris obliqua (Brongniart) Zeiller, Palmatopteris of the floodplain. furcata (Brongniart) H. Potonié, Annularia radiata (Brongniart) Stern- Dominate fossil plant: Linopteris neuropteroides f. major Göppert. berg, Sphenopteris (Renaultia) schatzlarensis (Stur) Zeiller , Cordaites sp. Poorly-drained substrats: Dominate fossil plants: Lepidodendron acu- Palaeoenvironmental interpretations tum (Presl) Kidston, Lepidodendron simile Kidston in Jongmans, Pecopteris The studied area was an intermountanous valley with a river, which miltonii (Artis) Barth et Götzelt, Mariopteris muricata (Schlotheim) Zeiller. is interpreted as transitional between braided and meandring river-type Accessories: Annularia radiata (Brongniart) Sternberg, Eusphenop- with well developed flood plain, low-sinuosity river channel and alter- teris obtusiloba (Brongniart) Novik, Sphenophyllum cuneifolium (Stern- nate bars. The river probably run from SW to NE, to the place with the berg) Zeiller. highest subsidence rates in the basin near Walbrzych in Poland.

THE SPREAD OF A VIW CONIFER SPECIES THROUGHOUT EUROPE SINCE THE LAST GLACIAL PERIOD: A COMBINED APPROACH BASED ON POLLEN, MACROFOSSIL AND MITOCHONDRIAL DNA DATA

Thomas Litt Institute of Palaeontology, University of Bonn, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

During the last 20,000 years climate in Europe has undergone ex- Database (EPD: http://medias.meteo.fr/paleo/epd.html). Unlike the pol- treme changes from the coldest and driest glacial period centered len grains which are found in great amounts in sediments due to long around 18,000 years ago to the warmest and most humid period be- distant transport over several kilometres, the macrofossil remains are tween 9,000 years ago. The prevailing climatic conditions during the relatively rare but spatially more precise. Macrofossils hold several big last glacial maximum (LGM) period had restricted the range of the tree advantages as firstly, they are macroscopic plant remains which provide species to patchy, discontinuous and climatically constrained areas des- a concrete hint for evidence of a taxon at the location where it is identi- ignated as glacial refugia. Past occurrences of trees during the LGM may fied; secondly, they can complete and confirm the pollen data; and final- be depicted in the fossil records through their remains such as pollen ly they can frequently be identified to the species level, whereas most and/or macrofossils. However, our palaeobotanical knowledge about pollen types are limited to genus or even family-level identification. the possible refugia and the spread of is mainly based on pollen data, so Combined fossil datasets provide a more robust basis for locating gla- far. In this paper we present a reconstruction of the glacial refugia and cial refugia and reconstructing postglacial spread of plant species and the migration paths based on both the macrofossil remains and the pol- to understand the impact of the past environmental changes, mainly len data. The macrofossil dataset is derived from the newly established during the last 20 000 years, on the modern genetic diversity of a few European Macrofossil Database (EMD, Institute of Palaeontology, Uni- conifer species such as Abies alba, Picea abies, and Pinus sylvestris. versity of Bonn). The pollen data are obtained from the European Pollen

DIVERSITY OF VEGETATION TYPES AND MODERN POLLEN SPECTR A IN THE WESTERN SAYAN MTS., SOUTHERN SIBERIA

Barbora Lučeničová1, Petr Kuneš2, Vlasta Jankovská3, Helena Svobodová4, Milan Chytrý1, Jiří Danihelka1, Nikolai Ermakov5, Michal Hájek1, Petra Hájková1, Marcela Havlová1, Martin Kočí1, Svatava Kubešová1, Pavel Lustyk1, Zdenka Otýpková1, Jan Roleček1, Petr Šmarda1 and Milan Valachovič6 1 Department of Botany, Masaryk University in Brno, Kotlářská 2, Brno, Czech Republic, CZ-611 37, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Botany, Charles University in Prague, Benátská 2, Praha 2, CZ-128 01, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Poříčí 3b, Brno, CZ-603 00, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Průhonice, CZ-252 43, Czech Republic 5 Central Siberian Botanical Garden, Zolotodolinskaya 101, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia 6 Institute of Botany, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewiczova 1, SK-842 23 Bratislava, Slovakia

Contemporary vegetation of the Western Sayan Mts. can be consid- We will address these questions: ered the closest modern analogy to Central European vegetation of Late- 1. To what extent the surface pollen spectra reflect the main vegetation Glacial and Early Holocene. Therefore understanding the vegetation/en- types? vironment relationship on a landscape scale in this region may prove to 2. How precisely can we infer the vegetation type from the surface pol- be a useful tool for interpretation of Central European vegetation history. len spectra?

83 Material and methods First results During the field expeditions in summer 2003 and 2004 we collected The list of main pollen types together with pollen percentage dia- data on two transects: i) ca 200 km long transect along the climate conti- grams show that the surface pollen spectra predominantly do reflect nentality gradient, which is responsible for the continuous biome transi- local or (in case of tree species) adjacent vegetation. Pollen of only few tion from boreal forest to continental steppe; ii) ca 20 km long transect species, such as Pinus sibirica, P. sylvestris, Betula pendula and Artemisia covering transition between vegetation types of various altitudinal are subject to long distance transport, whereas pollen of other arboreal belts, from forest steppe through forest to tundra species (e.g. Picea obovata, Abies sibirica, Betula nana ssp. rotundifolia) On these transects, relevés were recorded, surface pollen samples was mostly found in places of species’ occurrence. Pollen and vegeta- (moss polsters/soil surface) collected within each relevé’s plot and also tion data will be further analyzed by means of cluster analysis, ordina- main arboreal dominants in the surroundings were listed. tion and Procrustean method.

ANCIENT DNA AS AN INDICATOR OF HUMAN LOCAL PRESENCE

Jacek Madeja1, Agnieszka Wacnik2, Agata Żyga3 and Elżbieta Stankiewicz4 1 Departament of Palaeobotany, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, 31-512 Krakow, ul. Lubicz 46, Poland, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Departament of Palaeobotany, Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Lubicz 46, 31-512 Krakow, Poland, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Department of Immuno- and Cytogenetics, National Research Institute of Animal Production, ul. Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice k/Krakow, Poland, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Department of Molecular Biology and Scientific Research, John Paul II Hospital, ul. Pradnicka 80, 31-202 Krakow, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

The main goal of the project was to explore if the presence of bacte- isolation method from the sediments was found. Correlation of palyno- rial aDNA could be a new source of palaeoecological data concerning logical and molecular data showed that molecular studies on bacterial human presence in the past. During our studies sediments of various aDNA might be a useful tool for verification of anthropogenic phases types (peat, lake sediments, cultural layer) and age (Mesolithic, Neo- distinguished in pollen diagrams. lithic, Dark Ages, Medieval times) were used. The most efficient aDNA

HOLOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY IN THE SOUTH HARGHITA MOUNTAINS, ROMANIA

Enikő K. Magyari1, 2, Krisztina Buczkó2, Gusztáv Jakab3, Mihály Braun4 and Zoltán Pál5 1University of Durham, Department of Archaeology, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 2Hungarian Natural History Museum, Department of Botany, 1476 Budapest, P.O. Box 222, Hungary 3University of Szeged, Department of Geology and Palaeontology, 6722 Szeged, Egyetem utca 2-6, Hungary 4University of Debrecen, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, H-4010 Debrecen, P.O. Box 21, Hungary 5Babes Bolyai University of Cluj, Faculty of Geography, Department of Physical Geography, Str. Clincilor No. 5-7, RO-3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

In this study we present the results of a multi-proxy investigation car- Reconstruction of the Holocene lake-level changes was based on ried out on the sediment of a crater-lake, Saint Ana, located in the Harghita the diatom and plant macrofossil records. According to these, the water Mts in the middle range of the East Carpathians in Romania. Pollen, plant depth showed considerable fluctuation during the Holocene, in most macrofossil, siliceous algae and trace element analyses were used to re- cases coincidently with the terrestrial vegetation changes. Notably, low construct Holocene environmental and water depth changes. The early water depths characterised the early Holocene until ca. 8800 cal yr when Holocene terrestrial vegetation of the area was characterised by Ulmus- the open water became overgrown and the lake turned into a Sphag- Fraxinus-Quercus forests that were replaced by Corylus at ca. 8800 cal yr BP. num bog. From ca. 7050 cal yr BP the water depth increased gradually This was followed by the re-expansion of Fraxinus, Quercus and Tilia and the and shallow water conditions prevailed until ca. 5550 cal yr BP, when spread of Carpinus betulus from ca. 7500 cal yr BP. The formation of a forest a marked increase was detected accompanied by increasing productiv- belt dominated by Carpinus betulus was dated to 5500 cal yr BP, while the ity. The highest lake-levels were found between 2700 and 700 cal yr BP. two-step expansion of Fagus sylvatica took place at 3700 and 3300 cal yr The geochemical record points to the thermal stratification of the lake BP. From 3300 cal yr BP Fagus sylvatica has been the dominant canopy tree in this period. High Fe and Mn concentrations in the sediment between in the forests around the lake. Joint interpretation of the terrestrial pollen 8150–6600 cal yr BP were interpreted as a result of reducing soil condi- and plant macrofossil records also highlighted the difference between the tions and oxygen rich sedimentary environment. Following the increase lakeshore and hillslope vegetation throughout the Holocene. The persist- in lake-level at 7050 cal yr BP, gradually increasing amount of P was de- ence of the lakeshore Picea abies forest belt was explained by the cooler posited in the lake pointing to increasing productivity. and moister microclimate of the basin leading to thermal inversion.

84 THE IMPACT OF PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENTS ON THE HOLOCENE VEGETATION OF THE MIDDLE TISZA PLAIN, EASTERN HUNGARY

Enikő K. Magyari1 and John C. Chapman1 1 University of Durham, Department of Archaeology, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

This study combines palynological and archaeological data to in- with major cultural changes in the area. For example, the start of Neo- vestigate the impact of prehistoric settlements in the semi-arid Tisza lithic farming coincided with the change from hazel to oak (Quercus) river basin in Eastern Hungary. Our aim was to select lake sediments in dominated woodland; the establishment of Bronze Age tells with the close proximity to key archaeological sites and test the hypothesis that expansion of oak-hornbeam-beech (Quercus-Carpinus betulus-Fagus says ‘there was little human impact by farmers on the environment of SE sylvatica) dominated woodland, and finally the Iron Age with the onset Europe until the Bronze Age’. of a short-term beech-oak dominance. The most severe disturbance of The Sarló-hát meander lies in an area that has been the focus of set- the forest-steppe landscape was caused by the Csőszhalom culture dur- tlement since the Early Neolithic owing to its wide-range of habitats ing the Neolithic, when the woodland cover decreased in the area to ca. offering easy exploitation for farming, animal husbandry hunting and 55 % and there was evidence for arable farming and the formation of gathering. On the northern bank of the meander archaeological survey grazing pastures as well. After the disappearance of the Csőszhalom cul- revealed dense surface concentrations of Middle Neolithic and Bronze ture there was resurgence in the woodland until the Iron Age, with only Age artifacts suggesting settlements in these periods. In the ca. 2 km ra- a short woodland clearance phase in the Bronze Age, coinciding with dius of the meander several Neolithic, Bronze Age, Copper Age and Iron the occupation of the lakeshore. However, the continuous presence Age sites were discovered suggesting intense occupation in the area of disturbance indicator herbaceous plants (e.g. Plantago lanceolata, from ca. 5300 cal. yr BC. From the meander two undisturbed sediment Rumex acetosella, Anthemis-type) suggested that the human occupa- cores were taken, one from the vicinity of the Middle Neolithic site and tion remained continuous in the area, but arable farming was probably one near the Bronze Age sites. The sediments were dated by 22 AMS 14C not practiced in the alluvial basin. The pollen assemblages suggested measurements. The pollen records from both locations suggested that that this area was probably exploited for animal husbandry (grazing the first human impact on the vegetation predated the Neolithic: small- pastures) up until the Iron Age, when irreversible changes in the natural scale clearance of the local hazel (Corylus avellana) forest accompanied vegetation took place: the woodland was burnt and replaced by graz- by an increase in grasses (Poaceae) and the appearance of disturbance ing pastures and hay meadows. There was also increasing evidence for indicator herbs (Plantago major/media, Ranunculus, Cruciferae) was arable farming; however, the pollen record clearly shows that much of found in the Mesolithic, around 7300 cal yr BC. The simultaneous mi- the area under wheat-cultivation recently has been used for animal hus- crocharcoal peak in both cores suggested burning. Another important bandry until the built of the levee, in the 19th century. finding was the simultaneity of the major terrestrial vegetation changes

LATE GLACIAL VEGETATION IN THE THR ACIAN PLAIN, SE BULGARIA

Enikő K. Magyari1, John C. Chapman1, Bisserka Gaydarska1, Elena Marinova2 and Tamás Deli3 1 University of Durham, Department of Archaeology, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE,United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Laboratory of Palynology, Department of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, 8 Dragan Tsankov bd., Sofia 1164, Bulgaria 3 Munkácsy Mihály Museum, Department of Natural Sciences, H-5600 Békéscsaba, P.O. Box 46, Hungary

Detailed pollen, macrofossil macrocharcoal and mollusc analyses of moisture availability. At the same time the lake became overgrown by organic deposits provide new insights into Late Glacial environmental reed-swamp. Radiocarbon dating confirmed that this succession took change in the Thracian Plain in SE Bulgaria. In the study area, Ezero wet- place within the Bølling Interstadial. The increasing discharge of the Az- land, spring-fed lakes were formed during the Upper Pleniglacial and mak river together with the regional spread of Pinus and Juniperus from accumulated sediment during the Late Glacial. The botanical record ca. 14 150 cal yr BP suggested increasing river activity and afforestation showed that between ca. 15 600–15 200 cal yr BP the area supported in the nearby hills. The spread of Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) in the continental steppe vegetation formed by chenopods (Chenopodiace- seasonally flooded wetland provided evidence for disturbed, nutrient- ae), wormwoods (Artemisia), grasses (Poaceae) and with the scattered rich, exposed surfaces. The final vegetation phase showed the spread of occurrence of drought-resistant trees/shrubs. The seed and macrochar- Ephedra shrubs that replaced Juniperus along with the continued pres- coal findings of Celtis tournefortii-type, Juniperus cf. excelsa and Betula ence of Pinus and warm continental steppe vegetation. The spread of Sect. Albae confirmed that trees and shrubs occurred in the landscape Ephedra pointed to extremely dry conditions. The chronology of this and were probably more widespread than it would be assumed from vegetation phase remained uncertain due to the ambiguity of the 14C the pollen record. The closest modern analogue of this vegetation dating. We argued for a Late Glacial age, but the sediment may reach formation was identified with the Irano-Pontic steppe-forests of Inner into the Early Holocene. Anatolia. At the core location a lake existed and supported deep-water Probably the most important outcome of the present study was the swamp vegetation formed by Schoenoplectus lacustris. Floating mats evidence for scattered tree cover during the Upper Pleniglacial and Late of Nuphar lutea were also common. From ca. 15 200 cal. yr BP a shift Glacial in the Thracian Plain. The recovery of seeds and macrocharcoal towards wormwood and grass dominance and organic-rich sediment of Celtis tournefortii-type, Betula Sect. Albae, Juniperus cf. excelsa high- accumulation were recorded, but there was no evidence for afforesta- lighted the importance of plant macrofossil analysis. tion. Grass steppes spread from ca. 14 500 cal yr BP suggesting improved

85 PALYNOLOGICAL AGE, CLIMATE AND DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF SOME FAUNALACKING SEDIMENTS IN SOUTHERN EGYPT: WITH EMPHASIS ON CRETACEOUS STR ATIGR APHY

Magdy S. Mahmoud Assiut University, Faculty of Science, Geology Department, 71516 Assiut, Egypt, e-mail: [email protected]

In southern Aswan terrestrial palynofloras were extracted with shows a shale unit of presumed Coniacian-Santonian age (Timsah For- characteristic pollen (e.g. Cretacaeiporites polygonalis, Foveotricolpites mation). This unit is sandwiched between underlying and overlying gigantoreticulatus, Rousea delicipollis) and spores (e.g. Balmeisporites two sandstone units of presumed Turonian (Abu Aggag Formation) and holodictyus, Crybelosporites pannuceus) indicating Albian-Cenomanian Santonian/early Campanian are (Umm Barmil Formation), respectively. age. Abundance of fern spores and mineral kaolinite substance suggest These interpretations were based on faunal and floral dating. In the warm-humid palaeoclimate. The rocks lack any marine phytoplankton, present study area, south of Aswan, faunal, and floral dating is absent indicating deposition in terrestrial environment. Previous studies of and the stratigraphic section was correlated tentatively with the Abu the author and co-workers support these interpretations. Palaeozoic Aggag/Timsah/Umm Barmil Formations, few kilometres to the north. acritarchs were sometimes recorded. They might have been reworked Based on the present unequivocal Albian-Cenomanian dating of some from pre-existing Palaeozoic rocks, although the occurrence of these shales (allegedly regarded as equivalents of the Timsah Formation), the older rocks in South Egypt is controversial until present. According to Cretaceous stratigraphy, at least in the investigated area, ought to be current information the stratigraphic section exposed in North Aswan reconsidered.

THE FLOR AL CHANGE OF THE RHÖN MOUNTAINS GERMANY

Dieter H. Mai Natural History Museum, Forschungsinstitut Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany

In the Rhön Mountains, the fossil plant record investigated includes a small flora with Alnus julianiformis, Fagus deucalionis, Quercus drymeja in summary 483 species of the macroflora from 8 well-defined lithos- and Q. kubinyii. Palynological relations between Triatripollenites cory- tratigraphical sedimentary formations. They are evaluated biostrati- phaeus and T. rurensis. graphically and palaeoecologically together with the species of the mi- Kaltennordheim Formation: Fossil floras of Kaltennordheim, croflora and the faunas. The floral change is described at a span of time Hochrain, Bauerberg and Lettengraben with more than 65 plant spe- between the Middle-Upper Eocene (39 Ma) to the Upper Pliocene (2.15 cies, characterized by typical elements of the so-called Younger Masix- Ma). The stages of the floral development follow discontinuously: ioid floras (Eomastixia hildegardis); an optimal warm humid climatic Kaolinic Formation: Eocene with Beckettia, Steinhauera, Warden- phase. Latest Early Miocene to early Middle Miocene. sheppeya; Pollenflora of SPP-zone 16/17 (Bartonian). Wollbach Formation: Dominated by Quercus pseudocastanea, to- Sieblos Formation: Early Oligocene. Palynological picture with gether with Acer pseudomiyabei, Alnus hoernesii, Buxus pliocenica and Boehlensipollis hohlii; invasion of Arctotertiary elements. Many Nym- Eucommia europaea. Warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest of phaea remains. Upper Miocene affinities. Kühnstein Formation: “Marxheim” pollen spectrum of early Late Oli- Borsoni Formation: From six localities 130 plant species belong- gocene. No macroflora. ing to 59 families. Deciduous broad-leaved warm-temperate forests Oberleichtersbach Formation: Late Oligocene dated by small mam- and various water- and swamp plant taphnocoenoses with many ex- mals and gastropods. 100 plant species of fruits and seeds. Mixed meso- otic species. Remarkable is the East-European influence. Two different phytic forest of the Carpino-Ostryon type; many subhumid elements floral complexes document an Upper Pliocene warming (Gerstungen, and herbs. Oberzella) and an Intrapliocene cooling (Kaltensundheim). Escheri Formation: Early Miocene beds south of Theobasalthof;

THE EXCEPTIONALLY PRESERVED FRUIT AND SEED FLOR A FROM MESSEL, GERMANY: AN EXAMPLE OF DIVERSITY, VEGETATION AND DISPERSAL BIOLOGY JUST POSTDATING THE EOCENE CLIMATIC OPTIMUM.

Steven R. Manchester1, Margaret E. Collinson2 and Volker Wilde3. 1Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-7800, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 2Geology Department, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 3Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Senckenberganlage 25, Frankfurt am Main, D-60325, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

The Middle Eocene Messel deposits near Darmstadt, Germany are Arecaceae, Alangiaceae (Alangium), Anacardiaceae (3 gen.), Annonace- well known for exquisitely preserved plant and animal remains. While ae, Burseraceae (Canarium), Celtidaceae (Celtis), Cyperaceae, Elaeocar- monographs of the leaves and pollen have been completed, full docu- paceae (Sloanea), Euphorbiaceae, Hamamelidaceae, Icacinaceae (2 gen), mentation of the fruit and seed flora is still in progress. Important new Juglandaceae (3 gen), Lauraceae, Leguminosae (5 morphotypes), Mag- specimens have been discovered, and new identifications made, since noliaceae (Magnolia), Mastixiaceae (3 morphotypes), Meni spermaceae the last publication reviewing the fruit and seed flora. (10 morphotypes), Musaceae, Myristicaceae, ?Nymphaeaceae, Nyssace- The flora includes occasional Doliostrobus scales and numerous an- ae (Nyssa), Rutaceae (three morphotypes), Sabiaceae (Meliosma), Sar- giosperm remains. The following angiosperm families are represented : gentodoxaceae (Sargentodoxa), Simaroubaceae (Ailanthus), Tapisciace-

86 ae (Tapiscia), Theaceae (Cleyera), Toricelliaceae (Toricellia), Ulmaceae (Ce- understanding biogeographic relationships, at and near the Eocene cli- drelospermum), Vitaceae (5 morphotypes), plus about 30 morphotypes matic optimum, by comparison with floras from the Clarno Formation of of unknown or doubtful familial affinity. Oregon, the London Clay of England and Eckfeld in Germany; (iii) record- Examples will be used to demonstrate the significance of this ing a variety of dispersal biology including winged and plumed fruits flora for (i) documenting sustained diversity and presence of meso- and seeds, animal/plant interactions and seeds in gut contents; and (iv) /megathermal elements postdating the Eocene climatic optimum; (ii) enabling partial whole plant reconstructions.

WOOD OF JUGLANDACEAE FROM THE EARLY EOCENE OF MORS ISLAND, DENMARK.

Steven R. Manchester1 and Elisabeth A. Wheeler2 1Florida Museum of Natural History, Dickinson Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7800, USA 2North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1029, USA

Quarries in the Early Eocene of the Fur Formation of Mors Island, rays. The lack of scalariform perforations distinguishes this sample from Northwest Jutland, Denmark yield occasional fruits (e.g., Menisperma- extant and fossil woods of the tribe Engelhardieae. The occurrence of ceae, Meliosma, Vitis, Deviacer, indet legume), leaves (e.g., Cupressace- crystals in idioblasts of axial parenchyma rather than ray parenchyma ae, Maclintockia, Fagaceae, etc) and driftwood. A specimen from the sets this wood apart from the platycaryoid genra Platycarya and Clar- Ejerslev Moler open pit mine provided by Henrick Madsen was recently noxylon. Unlike Carya, which has especially thick-walled smaller vessels, sectioned for anatomical investigation. The stem, which was originally and usually solitary or only a few enlarged crystaliferous cells in the axial at least 30 cm in diameter, based on growth ring curvature, shows anat- parenchyma strands, this wood more closely resembles that of Juglans, omy characteristic of Juglandaceae. The wood is semi-ring-porous, with for which crystaliferous chains are well documented in extant species. pores commonly in radial multiples of 2–4 as well as solitary, and distrib- Among extant genera, this wood most closely matches Juglans. This uted in a diagonal pattern. Earlywood pores are 200 to 350 µm in diam- wood may represent a relatively early occurrence of the genus Juglans. eter; vessel elements are 300–500 µm long, with alternate intervascular However, fruits of Juglans have not been confirmed from this horizon pits and simple perforations. Axial parenchyma is distributed in 2–3-se- nor from the similar-age deposits of the London Clay. Alternatively, it riate wavy tangential lines. The rays are 1–5-seriate, heterocellular with is possible that this wood corresponds to one of the extinct juglanda- one or two rows of square cells. Rhomboidal crystals occur in enlarged ceous fruit genera known from the Eocene of Europe, such as Juglandi- cells of the axial parenchyma in chains of up to eight cells, but not in the carya, or Cruciptera.

PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHY OF THE LOWERMIDDLE DEVONIAN BOUNDARY DEPOSITS IN THE SOUTHEAST OF THE RUSSIAN PLATE, RUSSIA

Valentina N. Mantsurova LUKOIL-VolgogradNIPImorneft Institute, Volgograd, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The stratification of the Lower-Middle boundary deposits of Devo- rizons of Eastern Regions of Russian Plate and from the Acinosporites nian in the Russian Plate and their correlation till now remain debatable. apiculatus-Calyptosporites proteus zone of Ardenne-Reinish Regions and In the Uniefied Stratigrafic Chart of Russian Platform (USCRP) (Resolu- Grandispora douglastovnense-Ancyrospora eurypterota zone, which is tion…, 1990) this boundary is carried out conditionally on the basis of identified in Emsian-Eifelian boundary deposits in different regions of Biya horizon. Palynological data and correlation of sections allow count- Western Europe (Richardson and McGregor, 1986; Streel et al., 1987). ing, that this boundary should be carried out in the basis of Periplecotri- The upper argillite-dolomite member on correlation with stratotype letes tortus zone which corresponds to the basis of Klintsov horizon, i.e. sections of Klintsov horizon in Saratov Volga Region (the boreholes 1 and in the top of Biya horizon. 2 of Klintsov area) concerns to Klintsov horizon. Periplecotriletes tortus Lower-Middle Devonian boundary deposits in Volgograd Volga zone corresponds to the upper argillite-dolomitic member of Morsov for- Region overlie on rocks of the basement with a large stratigraphic gap. mation, i.e. to Klintsov horizon of the USCRP. P.tortus, Elenisporis biformis, They have been divided into miospore zones. Calyptosporites velatus, Sinuosisporis sinuosus, Retusotriletes fragosus and Retusotriletes clandestinus zone corresponds to joint Takatin and Rhabdosporites mirus species are typical for this zone and appear at its Viazov horizons of Uniefied Stratigraphic Chart of Russian Platform lower boundary. It may be compared with C. velatus-Rhabdosporites langii (USCRP) (Resolution…, 1990). It is characterized by abundant spore zone distinguishing from the lower part of the Eifelian stage in West Eu- species with indistinct area and numerous plicae. Diaphanospora in- rope and Canada (Arkhangelskaya, McGregor, Richardson, 1990.). R. langii assueta zone corresponds to lower and middle members of Morsov zone corresponds to Mosolov and Chernojar horizons. Its lower boundary formation and to Koiven and Biya horizons of the USCRP. For the D. in- is evidenced by the arrival of Cirratriradites monogrammos, С. punctomon- assueta zone the most typical species are D.inassueta, D.inassueta var. ogrammos, Lophozonotriletes scurrus etc. The zonal complex is correlated craspedon, D.impolita, Archaeozonotriletes polymorphus var. tacatinicus, with that from the Grandispora naumovii-Densosporites devonicus zone, Punctatisporites tortuosus. The middle anhydrite-dolomitic member wich is typical for the Upper Eifelian-Lower Givetian (Richardson and was nonpalynoferous up to the our research. The miospore association McGregor,1986). The overlying Geminospora extensa zone corresponds to is compared with that from Upper Ryazhsk layers of Central regions of the Givetian Stage. This zone correlated with the upper part of a triangu- Russian Plate (Rodionova et al., 1995), from Vitebsk horizon of Belarus latus-ancyrea zone and the lower part of a triangulatus-concinna zone in (Obukhovskaya, 1999; Abukhovskaya, 2003), from Koiven and Biya ho- Western Europe (Loboziak,1983; Streel et al., 1987).

87 PALYNOLOGICAL DATING OF PRESENCE OF THE VOLGOGR AD HORIZON OF FAMENNIAN STAGE OF DEVONIAN ON LEFT COAST OF THE RIVER OF THE VOLGA, RUSSIA

Valentina N. Mantsurova LUKOIL-VolgogradNIPImorneft Institute, Volgograd, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The Volgograd Horizon selected in the basis of Famennian stage (as well as in limits Umetov-Linev palaeodepression), the Volgograd Ho- according to the Decision of the Stratigraphical committee of Russia in rizon is combined depression domanikoid facies: dark grey, almost black 1999. Earlier by geologic-geophysical correlation of sections the conclu- argillites with thin interlayers of marls and clay limestones. Main charac- sion about distribution of the Volgograd Horizon to east direction was teristic species of C. viminea-G. vasjamica zone are determined (by %): made, but the paleontological proof of presence of the this deposits in G. notata var. microspinosus (7–22), G. vasjamica. (1–5), C.viminea (1–3), left-coast sections then was lacking (Mantsurova, Tsigankova, Smirnov, C.semireticulata (1–2), Cymbosporites boafeticus (1–3), Punctatisporites 2003). The carried out researches and generalization of the data on famenensis (2–3) etc. P. famenensis species is dated, as a rule, for the up- boreholes have allowed to receive palynological dating of presence of per part of the Volgogradian horizon (Umetovskaya suite). At all samples the Volgograd Horizon in left-coast sections; however, here the horizon are present acritarchs. In the lower part of a section spore dominate, is submitted by limestones and marls. In a number of wells the miospore making more than 60 %, and in the upper part prevail acritarchs, reach- complex of Corbulispora viminea-Geminospora vasjamica zone for the ing sometimes 90 % in palynospectra. first time is determined. In structure of a spore complex species (by %): Difference of miospore complex of this zone from earlier investi- Acanthotriletes pullus (3–6.5), Converrucosisporites curvatus (2.5–13), Pus- gated by us in Umetov-Linev palaeodepression consists at the presence tulatisporites famenensis (2–2.5), C.viminea (up to 2.5), G.vasjamica (up to of a significant amount acritarchs Leiosphaeridia, Brochopsophosphaera, 3 %), Cymbosporites boafeticus (up to 2), Geminospora notata var. micro- Trachypsophosphaera, less often Baltisphaeridium and almost full absence spinosus (4–5,5), Lophotriletes multiformis (up to 2) are determined. Last of fragments of a vegetative tissue, testifies about sedimentation on rela- four species occur only from the basis of the Volgograd Horizon. Togeth- tive distance from a coastal line of palaeobasins in shallow conditions er with Early Famennian species are met in insignificant quantity spe- of a shelf. Thus, for the first time palynological data have allowed prove cies of Late Frasnian age not in situ: Auroraspora speciosa, Cristatisporites a presence of the Volgograd Horizon in carbonate facies on the left coast deliquescens, C. trivialis, Kedoesporis evlanensis msc. In palynospectra of river of the Volga. The Volgograd Horizon is absent above large reefs. constantly are present acritarchs at amount from 10 up to 30 %. This work was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research, To the west, in boreholes of the Antipovsko-Scherbakovskaya zone the grant No 01-05-64538.

MIOCENE LACUSTRINE PLANT REMAINS FROM TRESJUNCOS IBERIAN RANGE, SPAIN

María Teresa Fernández Marrón1, Lilla Hably 2 and Margarita Diaz-Molina3 1 UEI/Depto. de Paleontología, Instituto de Geología Económica (CSIC-UCM), Facultad de C. Geológicas, 28040 Madrid, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Botanical Department of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, 1476 Budapest, Pf. 222, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Depto. de Estratigrafía e Instituto de Geología Económica, Facultad de C. Geológicas, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain

The Loranca basin, located in Central Spain, is a foreland basin of the lower plants e.g. Algae and Equisetum, but most of the plant remains Iberian Range. The basin was filled by synorogenic Tertiary continental belong to monocots: Potamogeton, Cyperaceae and Monocotyledonae sediments, mainly sourced from the Iberian Range fold and thrust belt, gen. et sp. Dicotyledonous plants were not recorded at all. Insects were which acted as the more active foreland. The eastern margin of the basin also preserved in the lacustrine sediments, the most nicely preserved (Sierra de Altomira) is a thrust belt of Mesozoic and Tertiary rocks. During remain has proved to belong to Coleoptera. Apart from the immediate Turolian age (Upper Miocene), a tectonic reactivation of the Sierra de Al- environment, far-reaching conclusions about vegetation and climate tomira caused the development of alluvial fans, which filled the elongat- cannot be drawn based on the monotypic flora and the intrazonal la- ed depressions located between the growing anticlines of the Altomira custric vegetation since edaphic vegetation depends mainly on edaphic belt. The alluvial fan deposits were subsequently topped by lacustrine factors and not on the climate zone. sediments. Within the Sierra de Altomira, in Tresjuncos locality (Cuenca), The cooperation of the authors was supported by the CSIC-MTA the Turolian lacustrine sediments contain many plant remains. (Hungarian Academy of Science) and the OTKA (Hungarian Scientific Re- A monotypic and specific flora indicating a lacustrine environment search Fund, T043327). The authors express their thanks to Dr. Gy. Sziráki was recorded at the locality. The fossil assemblage comprises in part for identifying the fossil insect.

DIVERSITY OF SYMPLOCOS IN THE ITALIAN CENOZOIC AND DISTRIBUTION OF FRUIT RECORDS IN SPACE AND TIME

Edoardo Martinetto Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Via Valperga Caluso 35, I-10125 Torino, Italy, e-mail: [email protected]

Fossil occurrences of Symplocos in Italy have been mainly docu- the basis of morphological and anatomical features of fruit stones at the mented by fruit and pollen records in sediments of Pliocene age, and macro- and mesoscopic scale. Recently, Mai and Martinetto proposed determination at the species level has been exclusively proposed on a dramatic reduction of the number of Symplocos species recorded in

88 the European Neogene, in light of the large extent of polymorphism of northern and central Italy, and S. casparyi is well-documented in a site observed in fossil and modern fruit stones. After a complete revision of dated to the Late Pliocene. S. paucicostata, first described in the Middle the Italian fruit material, only 4 out of 7 fossil fruit morphospecies cited Pliocene of The Netherlands (“Reuverian”), is recorded as a rather com- in the literature are still considered valid. In consideration of the rich- mon species in a single site of northern Italy, whose age is interpreted ness of the Pliocene plant fossil record in Italy, this would indicate that as Late Pliocene. This last species is assigned to section Palura, which to- only four ancient botanical species of Symplocos actually grew in Italian day includes a few deciduous, rather cool-tolerant species. The features lowlands from 5 to 2 My ago. An updated overview of the stratigraphic of the plant communities and the palaeoclimatic conditions in which and geographic distribution of such species shows that three of them (S. Symplocos could grow will be discussed in detail, as well as the possible casparyi, S. minutula and S. schereri) occur in the Early-Middle Pliocene of causes of extinction of these plants in Italy. northern Italy. S. casparyi and S. schereri also occur in the Middle Pliocene

THE GLYPTOSTROBUS EUROPAEUS WHOLEPLANT IN THE PLIOCENE FOSSIL FORESTS OF ITALY

Edoardo Martinetto1, Alessandro Kim Cerutti1 and Johan Van der Burgh2 1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Via Valperga Caluso 35, I-10125 Torino, Italy 2 Laboratory of Palaeobotany, Budapestlaan 4, NL-3584 CD, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Foliage, seeds and cones of Glyptostrobus europaeus (Taxodiaceae, taphonomical analyses of the succession it clearly results that the fossil or Cupressaceae s. l.) are very common within muddy sediments in forest was a well-vegetated clastic rheogenous swamp, lying nearby one several Pliocene fossil forests of northern and central Italy. Recent in- of more active fluvial or deltaic channels, in which coarse cross-bedded vestigations in one of these fossil forests, which crops out 20 km north sands were deposited. The swamp was at times run through by tractive of Turin (NW Italy), in the bed of the Stura di Lanzo river, showed that currents with deposition of fine sands and silts, and there was a limited also the wood anatomy of stumps is diagnostic for the genus Glypto- input of transported plant material into the sedimentary environment. strobus, since the wood-type is characteristic of the recently defined During quiet intervals, the decantation of muds, brought by low energy Glyptostroboxylon rudolphii. Although connection between stumps, waters rich in suspension load, took place. logs an twigs has never been observed, the Stura di Lanzo fossil forests An analogous depositional environment has been reconstructed provides a very favourable condition to reconstruct the ancient taxodia- for the most spectacular fossil forest of Italy, at Dunarobba in the Um- ceous whole-plant, because there is only one common conifer type in bria region. Also in this site the conifer foliage, seeds and cones belong the autochthonous macrofossil record. The autochthonous burial of the uniquely to Glyptostrobus europaeus. The wood-type, formerly assigned foliage is indicated by the high frequency of randomly oriented twigs to Taxodioxylon gypsaceum, would better be revised as Glyptostroboxy- with attached cones. Therefore it is demonstrated that the plant bear- lon rudolphii. Therefore, also the numerous and huge upright trunks of ing the Glyptostrobus europaeus foliage, also produced stumps and logs this site brought evidence of what was the habitus of the Glyptostrobus with the Glyptostroboxylon rudolphii wood-type. europaeus whole-plant. The Stura di Lanzo outcrop extends for two kilometres along the A third analogous example concerns the fossil forest with 2 meters riverbed and permits a detailed reconstruction of the depositional en- wide, upright trunks observed in the basal layers of the freshwater vironment and its lateral variation. From the stratigraphical and plant Pliocene succession of the Upper Valdarno basin, in Tuscany.

SILICIFIED WOOD FROM THE PERMOCARBONIFEROUS OF EASTERN BOHEMIA, ITS PRESERVATION AND MODE OF FOSSILIZATION  APPLICATION OF MODERN INSTRUMENTAL ANALYTICAL METHODS

Petra Matysová1, 2 1 Institute of geochemistry, mineralogy and mineral resources, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of geology and palaeontology, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic

Silicified wood of Permocarboniferous, which abundantly occurs mentation were interpreted in order to see how the silicified wood was in the Czech part of the Intra Sudetic and „Krkonoše Piedmont“ basins, formed. Were they preserved simply by silica solutions after burying in was subdivided into four groups. Every group has been characterized specific natural conditions of the east Bohemian Palaeozoic basins? Or by a fundamental anatomical pattern which is typical for systematic was it just a secondary hydrotermal process which caused their excel- categorization of the given arborescent plants. There are many unre- lent preservation? How many steps the permineralization process had? solved questions within a matter of silicification processes which led Can we prove any connection between geological characteristics of the to the unique origin of this wood. True answers are hidden only under studied basins and mineralogy of the wood? On the other hand, can we a complex approach in research. deduce some information about petrology or stratigraphy based on the Representatives of each group, i.e., Arthropitys-, Psaronius-, Medul- silicified wood? For comparative purposes we have considered the latest losa- and Dadoxylon-type, were chosen to identify their mineralogical results from similar investigations on permocarboniferous wood from the components. Their thin sections were studied by modern instrumental Petrified Forest from Chemnitz in Germany. Are there any significance analytical methods, such as scanning electron microscopy, analytical X- differences between silicification of the Permocarboniferous wood from ray spectroscopy, cathodoluminescence microscopy and Raman spec- Czech and German localities? troscopy. The acquired data from measuring and photographical docu-

89 HERBIVORY IN ANTARCTIC FOSSIL FORESTS

Claire M. McDonald1, Jane E. Francis1, Steve G. A. Compton1, Alan M. Haywood2, Allan C. Ashworth3 and Luis Felipe Hinojosa4 1 University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom 2 British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, United Kingdom 3 North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA 4 University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

Many collections of fossil leaves from Antarctic contain a rich store The fossil leaves are diverse with several different plant species present of insect trace fossils indicating that insects were an important compo- such as Nothofagaceae, Cunoniaceae and Araucariaceae. The range of nent of the unique forests that grew in polar regions. However, insect traces found includes leaf mines, galls and general leaf chewing, of body fossils themselves are rare and so insect traces provide an excellent which both marginal and non-marginal examples are present. The dif- opportunity to examine both the palaeoentomology and the palaeocli- ferences in both the diversity and intensity of the herbivory throughout mate of Antarctica. The fossils studied include Eocene leaves from both the fossil samples are examined in terms of intraspecific and interspe- Seymour Island and King George Island on the Antarctic Peninsula as cific differences. The results will enable a comparison with modern day well as Neogene (?Pliocene) leaves from the Transantarctic Mountains. environments to be carried out giving a greater indication of the types A database of all insect traces on the Antarctic fossil leaves was compiled of insects which may have created such traces in Antarctica in the past. and analysed in terms of the diversity and intensity of palaeoherbivory.

RECONSTRUCTING ANCIENT ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION − A REVIEW OF THE LAST 20 YEARS AND THE FUTURE FOR STOMATAL − BASED RESEARCH

Jennifer C. McElwain School of Biological and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Bellfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

In 1986 plant ecophysiologist, Ian Woodward identified an intrigu- This in turn has opened up new avenues of interaction and collaboration ing morphological trend among plant taxa with long elevation ranges; within Earth system science. Paleoatmospheric CO2 estimates from fossil the number of stomata on plant leaf surfaces increased significantly plant stomatal frequency have increased understanding (1) on the role with increasing elevation. Following a series of plant growth chamber of greenhouse gasses in modulating both long term and rapid global experiments and a study of temperate tree leaves collected from histori- climatic change, and (2) on the relative influences of different geological cal herbarium specimens, Woodward concluded in a seminal paper in and biological carbon sinks and sources in regulating atmospheric com- Nature that stomatal density is directly influenced by the partial pres- position and (3) have enabled exploration of how both rapid and long sure of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. High stomatal density on term changes in atmospheric composition have influenced large-scale leaves collected at high elevation compared with low elevation leaves patterns in plant macroecology, origination and extinction. from the same species was attributed to an ecosphysiological response Great advances have been made regarding the genes and transduc- by the plants to decreasing CO2 partial pressure with elevation. A trend tion pathways responsible in controlling stomatal density response to of declining leaf stomatal density in herbarium leaves collected over the CO2 concentration, in methods of calibrating both extinct and extant past century in response to a > 25 % increase in atmospheric CO2 con- fossil stomatal frequency to a meaningful and robust paleoatmospheric centration caused by fossil fuel burning supported these observations. CO2 estimate and most importantly with regard to the potential limita- In both cases it appeared that plants were optimizing stomatal control tions of applying the stomatal-proxy method to the plant fossil record. of CO2 uptake for photosynthesis against water loss via transpiration. The history, application, utility and limitations of the stomatal-CO2 proxy This key observation led to a new and burgeoning field of research method will be discussed in detail and recent research applications of within paleobotany that uses stomatal frequency changes in fossil plants the method together with possible future avenues of research will be to estimate the concentration of atmospheric CO2 in ancient atmospheres. presented.

PALYNOMORPHS FROM SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF THE SALT MARSHES, SOUTHERN BR AZIL: CORRESPONDENCE TO VEGETATION COVER AND IMPORTANCE FOR PALEOENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTIONS

Svetlana Medeanic CAPES, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Geociências, CECO, Campus do Vale, Porto Alegre, CEP 91509-900, RS, Brazil, e-mail: [email protected]

The reconstruction of Holocene vegetation is usually based on pol- The twelve surface samples represented by silt and sandy silt len and spores of terrestrial and aquatic vascular plants identified from from the salt marshes, wide spread in southern Brazilian coastal plain, sediments. The correct paleoreconstructions may be possible if ob- were studied. Palynomorphs are represented by pollen and spores, zy- tained from surface sediments palynological data were compared with gospores and coenobia of Chlorophyta, cysts of acritarchs and dinoflag- actual vegetation cover, and etalon palynomorph assemblage was es- ellates, fungal spores, and microforaminifera. The most important are tablished. The nonconformity between pollen-and-spore assemblage Azolla filiculoides, Phaeoceros, Lycopodiella, Lophozoria, Amaryllidaceae, from surface sediments of environment and its vegetation cover may Asteraceae (Senecio type), Fabaceae (Luteola vigna type), Juncaceae be caused by the varying pollen productivity of plants, dispersion and (Juncus type), Juncaginaceae (Triglochin type), Malvaceae (Hibiscus transport capacity, mode of pollination, and taphonomic settings. type), and different pollen morphological types of Chenopodiaceae,

90 Cyperaceae, Poaceae. Recognized palynomorph assemblage was com- marshes from the neighboring areas of wetlands during strong rains. pared with vegetation cover of the correspondent salt marshes showing The relative frequency of marine algal palynomorphs in surface sedi- general resemblance but differ by a higher pollen diversity of terrestrial ments of the salt marshes may serve as additional data to distinguish plants. The palynomorph assemblage includes pollen of the native local salt marsh types differed by salinity level. vegetation of the salt marshes and particularly – vegetation from adja- Obtained results are important for reconstructions of past history cent areas of dunes and wetlands. Relatively diverse spores of ferns in of the salt marches vegetation cover whose spreading in the past was some samples, probably, were transported by current influxes into salt closely connected to the sea level oscillations during the Holocene.

SILICOFLAGELLATE RECORDS IN HOLOCENE LAGOON SEDIMENTS IN THE SOUTH BR AZIL

Svetlana Medeanic1 and Lezilda C. Torgan2 1 CAPES, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Geociências, CECO, Campus do Vale, Porto Alegre, CEP 91509-900, RS, Brazil, e-mail: [email protected]; 2 Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul, CP 1188, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, e-mail: [email protected]

Holocene sediments represented by lagoon silt and silty clay sedi- fibula f. rhombica was relatively frequent in lagoon sediments formed ments are widespread in the Brazilian coastal plains. Palynological study during the maximum marine transgression (at about 5 kyr BP). Present of these sediments including pollen and spores of vascular plants, algal day, this extant planctonic marine species is encountered in the es- and fungal palynomorphs are useful to reconstruct Holocene environ- tuarine part of the Patos Lagoon which is characterized by high water ments subjected by climatic changes and sea-level oscillations of Atlan- salinity level. The records of silicoflagellates from the samples of core tic Ocean. Holocene lagoon sediments were studied from the 5 cores performed at the distance of more than 12 km from the present cost line performed in the coastal plain of South Brazil in the bottom of the Patos is evidence of high amplitude of sea level rise and spreading sea water at Lagoon and Tramandaí Lagoon, and in the Cassino beach. Palynomorphs a long distance in coastal plain. In many samples silicoflagellates are as- from more than 120 samples were studied. Some samples were dated by sociated with marine diatoms (Coscinodiscus, Triceratium, Auliscus, Actin- 14C method. Besides pollen and spores of vascular plants and freshwater optychus), dinoflagellate and acritarch cysts. Pollen and spores from the algal palynomorphs, marine algal cysts (acritarchs and dinoflagellates) samples enriched by silicoflagellate and marine diatoms are relatively and microforaminiferae were encountered in many samples. These rare. In such samples pollen and spores of halophylous and xerophylous marine palynomorphs were useful to distinguish transgressive and re- plants of dunes and salt marshes are less frequent. They are represented gressive stages of sea-level oscillations occurred during Holocene. Acri- by Azolla filiculoides, Phaeoceros, Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopo- tarch cysts are represented by Micrhystridium and Cymatiosphaera, and diaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae. The fact of scarce pollen and spores in dinoflagellate cysts – predominantly by Spiniferites and Operculodinium. sediments of transgressive stage and notable frequency of silicoflagel- Chemical treatment of samples avoided HF permits us to preserve sili- lates indicate on the last one as reliable tool for marine deposits stratig- ceous fossil remains of diatoms and silicoflagellate skeletons. Dictyocha raphy and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.

ENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTION OF A MULTICULTUR AL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN SW HUNGARY, 6 000 BC1 500 AD

Zsófia Medzihradszky1 and Katalin T. Biró2 1 Botanical Dept. of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, H-1088, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, H-1088, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected]

Vörs-Máriaasszony Island is a multicultural archaeological site, lo- During the history of the human settlements from the beginning cated on a peninsula protruding an ancient bay of Lake Balaton, the of the Neolithic until the 16th century AD the shore of the lake and the largest shallow-water lake in Central Europe. This type of environment small islands were covered with mixed broad-leaved forests. Very small had special role in the prehistoric settlement history of an area. Mud changes in the precipitation and temperature effected patches of beech and peat deposited in the bay and their palynological investigation in the dominant mixed oak forests (Quercus, Ulmus, Tilia, Fraxinus). Along completed with other multiproxy analyses of the archaeological objects the shore lines narrow alder forest belt appeared. In the shore area the made possible the reconstruction of the ancient environment. dominance of the bulrush vegetation (Typha and Sparganium sp.) is evi- Pollen analyses of 12 cores, located around the peninsula, form the dent. The water depth of the bay was about 1–4 basis of the reconstruction. Depth-age modelling, pollen concentration m, Nymphaea, Nuphar and Myriophyllum characterised the reed- and influx calculation, rarefaction and PCA analyses were carried out grass vegetation. This picture was more or less stable; the climatic vari- based on the pollen, radiocarbon and sedimentological data. ability is reflected only in moderate changes of the percentage values Numerical values were determined as the degree of possible ar- of the trees and in the changing ratio of the arboreal and non-arboreal chaeological disturbance (anthropogenic disturbance factor: ADF), pollen count. The anthropogenic signs (pollen grains of cereals and which depended on type, size and lifetime of localities and of course de- weeds) were in neither pollen assemblage zone as characteristic as in pended on type and intensity of the crop cultivation, animal husbandry the sequences of the Hungarian Plain or as in some examples from other and on the technical use of natural resources. parts of Europe. Probably the special geographical situation of the area Sample similarity method was used to compare the pollen diagrams caused special fishing-gathering subsistence strategies during thou- themselves, some special taxa in the diagrams, the anthropogenic dis- sands of years. turbance factor of the archaeological periods and the qualitative and The interdisciplinary study of the site is supported by the grant of quantitative presence of human indicator taxa. Hungarian Scientific Research Fund project T-046297.

91 A NEW RECORD OF PODOCARPIUM PODOCARPUM A. BR AUN HERENDEEN FROM MIOCENE SEDIMENTS IN AUSTRIA WITH SOME BIOSTR ATIGR APHIC AND FLORISTIC ASPECTS

Barbara Meller Geological Survey, Neulinggasse 38, A-1030 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected]

A multi-faceted palaeontological investigation of a clay pit near been distinguished. The leaf record is species-poor, with ferns, mono- Graz (Styria, Austria) aims to establish the exact time of deposition of cotyledons indet., Potamogeton, Salix, Podocarpium and Betulaceae. the sediments exposed, which might be Middle or Late Miocene in age. The seed and fruit record includes more than 20 taxa: Celtis, Cephalan- The sediments have not only yielded ostracods, crabs and vertebrate thus, Ceratophyllum, Decodon, cf. Lycopus, Microdiptera, Morus, Myrica, teeth and bones (from fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals), but also Phyllanthus, Podocarpium, Polygonum, Prunus, Rubus, Salix, Sambucus, fruit, seeds and leaves. The first palynological investigations were not Saururus, cf. Trichosanthes, Carex, Cladiocarya/ Cladium, Epipremnites, successful (Zetter, oral comm.). The ostracods clearly demonstrate the Potamogeton, Sparganium, Typha. terrestrial facies of the sediments and the stratigraphical distribution Records of Podocarpium fruits, seeds and leaves are not very com- of the represented species range mainly from Early Miocene up to the mon in Austrian Miocene deposits, but at some localities occur abun- present (Gross, oral comm.). The mammalian fauna is still under inves- dantly. In Hungary, Podocarpium remains have been found in sediments tigation and the results are very preliminary. So far, only the remains of ranging from the Ottnangian up to the Sarmatian (Early Miocene to late big mammals have been discovered from the basal layer, indicating that Middle Miocene) in age, but it has not been recorded in Pannonian (Late the sediments cannot be older than MN6 (oral comm. Daxner-Höck, He- Miocene) sediments. The data allow several conclusions. 1) The lack in issig). That is, not older than early Middle Miocene. Pannonian sediments might have been caused by taphonomical selec- Plant macrofossils have been found in several layers throughout tion. 2) Podocarpium might have been grown in refuge areas during Pan- the profile, from the coarse sandy layer at the base up to the top of the nonian times in this area. 3) Podocarpium disappeared from this part of succession. About 25 taxa, mainly represented by seeds and fruits, have the Paratethys surrounding at the end of the Middle Miocene.

VERTICILLATE ORGANOTAXIS IN THE CLADOXYLOPSIDA: NEW INFORMATION ON POLYXYLON AUSTR ALE FROM AUSTR ALIA

Brigitte Meyer-Berthaud1 and Aude Soria2 1AMAP (Botanique et bioinformatique de l’architecture des plantes), 34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Botanischer Garten, Universität Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Polyxylon is a Late Devonian plant genus based on a small number A new anatomically preserved specimen of Polyxylon australe col- of permineralized axes that do not exceed 25 mm in diameter, lack sec- lected at the original site of Barraba was borrowed from the Austral- ondary tissues, and possess the dissected vascular system characteriz- ian Museum (Sydney), sectioned, and analysed. It is 21 cm long, about ing the Cladoxylopsida, one of the most ancient groups of ferns s.l. (i.e. 1 × 2.5 cm wide, and shows a nodal zone preserved in its proximal 5 cm. the Monilophytes, comprising the Sphenopsida and the Filicopsida). Polyxylon is a stem exhibiting a verticillate type of organotaxis coupled Compared to other members of the Cladoxylopsida, Polyxylon is unique with a previously unknown pattern of trace emission to the nine lateral in its exarch maturation of the protoxylem. appendages it produces at a node. The vascular supply to a lateral organ Polyxylon comprises two species, P. elegans from the New Albany is bilaterally symmetrical and consists of six traces emitted from four ra- Shale of Indiana (USA), and P. australe. The original description of the lat- dially elongated arms of the stele. Cauline protoxylem strands just be- ter species is based on two specimens collected in the Mandowa mud- low the nodal zone are mesarch and associated with thin-walled cells. stone at Barraba, New South Wales (Australia). None of the specimens Polyxylon is compared to the Devonian genera Xenocladia and Pietzschia of Polyxylon recorded yet shows neither any evidence of branches nor and to the Mississipian genus Cladoxylon. The range of morphological any other type of lateral organ in attachment and it has been discussed traits – with a special attention to organotaxic patterns – and growth whether they represent basal parts of stems, portions of rhizomes, or forms expressed in these late representatives of the Cladoxylopsida are root parts. discussed.

STAR Á JÍMK A LAKE  IMPORTANT FORMER GLACIAL LAKE IN THE BOHEMIAN/BAVARIAN FOREST

Pavel Mentlík1 and Eva Břízová2 1 Department of Geography, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Veleslavínova 42, 306 19 Pilsen, Czech Republic 2 Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3/131, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic

The Stará Jímka area is located in the vicinity of the Prášilské Lake. represent very important evidence of past geomorphological processes The surroundings of Prášilské Lake are very important and interesting and could be used for the reconstruction of the chronological develop- mainly from the geomorphological point of view because of the glacial ment of the landscape. genesis in Pleistocene. Fossil glacial forms, which are relatively rare in Prášilské Lake is a lake with a glacial origin. The lake is near Prášily the Czech mountains, are extremely interesting for geomorphological village, below the east slope of Poledník Mountain (1 315 m a. s. l.). The research because of their uniqueness. However, glacial sediments also Stará Jímka area lies approximately 1 500 m to the north of the Prášilské

92 Lake. Both localities belong to the same basin of the Jezerní Potok though, the gelifluction processes were very widespread in Pleistocene, stream. The stream is named after the lake, despite its spring being, it is difficult to use this material for geomorphological research, due to above the Stará Jímka area. the smooth relief which is usually typical for the gelifluction mantle. In The Stará Jímka area itself is an approximately 900 m long depression comparison, the glacial relief is usually very varied and is divided in two with N–S direction which is extended along the steep slope with east- different geomorphological forms. Furthermore, glacial processes often ward exposition. The depression is dammed by accumulation of glacial create special concave forms such as bottoms of cirques and holes be- origin in the east. We can delimit two main parts of the area: The first part, tween moraine walls. These forms are very often filled after ablation of which is in the north, is covered by a spruce forest. The second part (in the the glacier − firstly by lake sediments and secondly by peat. Generally, south) is almost without tree cover and is very wet. There is a man-made we can say that the south and the middle part of the Stará jímka area are dam approximately at the border between the two described parts. It is relatively homogenous from a geological point of view. The main rock is obvious that the north part used to be a water reservoir. A small quarry gneiss and it is altered by quartzite and migmatite to anatexite and also lies to the east, from which material for the dam was extracted. gneiss to migmatite. It is difficult to find some significant clues for a reconstruction of The geomorphological research has been funded by the grant the genesis of the landscape in Quaternary sediments in mountains. The “Comparison of the Quaternary development in the Novohradské main reason is that the Quaternary cover is created particularly by thick Mountains and in selected parts of the Šumava Mts.” of the Academy of layers of colluvial sediments, especially products of a gelifluction. Al- Sciences of the Czech Republic number: KJB300460501.

EARLY NORMAPOLLES EVOLUTION IN THE UPPER CRETACEOUS, CENOMANIAN AND TURONIAN, IN FR ANCE AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Henriette Méon1, Marcela Svobodová2, Gaëtan Guignard1 and Blanka Pacltová3 1 University Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, UMR CNRS 5125, 2 et 7 rue R. Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne Cx, France, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Geology, Laboratory of Paleobiology and Paleoecology, Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Charles University, Department of Paleontology, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic

The origin of an enigmatic angiosperm group documented by pol- typical palynospectra indicates the oscillations of marine shoreline, len grains have been systematically studied both in French and Bohe- most probably caused by eustatic movements as well as paleoclimatic mian Cretaceous. Pacltová (1965) reported first Normapolles from the variations during the Upper Cretaceous (Pacltová 1989). coastal environment, Svobodová (1992) found it also rarely in non-ma- Differences in the marine/terrestrial ratio in the sediments of the rine deposits of the Middle Cenomanian. This new angiosperm taxon Bohemian Cretaceous Basin and SE France was probably caused by dif- probably arose in saline environment after sea regression as a result of ferent paleoprovinces (Boreal and Tethyan), paleoclimate, and facial paleoecological changes (Pacltová 1989). Relatively rapid Normapolles conditions (Méon et al. 2004). evolution and distribution can be seen during Late Cenomanian and es- Biostratigraphical importance of first Normapolles, as a significant pecially in Turonian (Méon et al. 2004). feature, and in the coordination with macro- and microfaunal remains, First Normapolles pollen appear both in Bohemian and French is documented in many other newly studied exposures and boreholes in Cenomanian in the same time period, in jukes-brownei Zone (Pacltová the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (Čech et al. 2005, Žítt et al. 2006). 1965, 1966, Laing 1975, Louail 1976). Marginal facies characterized by

SIMULATING CLIMATIC EFFECTS OF PALAEOVEGETATION CHANGES IN THE LATE MIOCENE USING DIFFERENT CLIMATE MODELS

Arne Micheels1, Angela. A. Bruch2, Volker Mosbrugger2, Dieter Uhl1 and Torsten Utescher3 1 Institute of Geosciences, Tübingen University, Sigwartstr. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Senckenberg Research Institute Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany 3 Institute of Geology, Bonn University, Nußallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany

The Late Miocene (11 to 7 Ma) was a late part of the Cenozoic cool- run a sensitivity experiment with respect to a global Miocene vegeta- ing and there occurred relevant vegetation changes (e.g. expansion of tion change. Basically, the results of ECHAM4/ML and the Planet Simula- grasslands). In order to analyse the climate response on Late Miocene tor are consistent. For instance, the Tibetan Plateau causes a generally vegetation changes, we use climate models of different complex- weaker-than-present monsoon system, but the Miocene forest vegeta- ity. With the earth system model of intermediate complexity Planet tion intensifies the Asian summer monsoon. The sensitivity experiment Simulator, we perform Late Miocene model experiments varying the with ECHAM4/ML further demonstrates that the Miocene vegetation vegetation cover of specific regions such as the Tibetan Plateau and as compared to the modern one warms particularly polar regions. The North Africa (Miocene vs. modern vegetation). Results of our sensitiv- retreat of high-latitude forests from the Late Miocene to today, hence, ity experiments indicate that vegetation changes of the Tibetan Plateau contributes to an increase of the meridional temperature gradient and significantly affect the Miocene monsoon system and lead to a warming to global cooling. Our Late Miocene climate model experiments illus- north of the Plateau. The evolution of the Sahara desert in the Miocene trate that the climatic response on palaeovegetation changes is impor- causes a regional cooling in North Africa. Moreover, our model experi- tant. However, a validation of the ECHAM4/ML results with terrestrial ments suggest a relationship (teleconnections) between the evolution proxy data indicates some inconsistent patterns such as too cool high of the Sahara desert and a cooling of North America and Central Asia in latitudes in the Miocene model simulation. Thus, the Miocene climate the Late Miocene. Using the highly complex atmospheric general circu- processes are not fully understood. lation model ECHAM4 coupled to a mixed-layer ocean model (ML), we

93 GENESIS OF COAL FROM THE KOVIN DEPOSIT BASED ON THE PALYNOLOGICAL AND PETROGR APHIC COMPOSITION

Jelena D. Milivojević1 and Dragana R. Životić1 1 Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia and Monte Negro, 11000, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

The Kovin coal deposit is located in southern Banat, around 50 km Palynological and micropetrographic studies revealed that the I-Ib east from Belgrade. It is a part of the „Banat-Morava“ depression, which coal seam from the Kovin deposit had been generated in changeable consists of clastic sediments of Sarmatian, Pannonian and Pontian age. tropic (with alternation of more humid and dry periods) and moderately These sediments transgressively and disconformly overlie a metamor- warm climate of Late Miocene. phic complex of the Serbo-Macedonian mass. Coal-bearing Pontian Vertical variations of petrographic composite and palynospectri in- sediments are made up of loosely bounded sand with three coal seams. dicate four mature zones: According to their lithofacial features, these structures belong to the so- 1. Intermediate swamp zone. The coal from this zone is qualified with called “Danubian” development type with predominantly sandy char- high presence of Atrinite and partially Densinite with presence of Te- acter and caspi-brackish fauna. Miocene sediments are disconformly lohuminite, Rezinite and Suberinite (pollen grain of Myrica); overlain by Quaternary gravel, sand and loess. 2. The presence of fern and swamp forests (Taxodiaceae, Cupresaceae, Geological explorations performed in 2004, included analyses of Sequoia, Nyssa et al.), indicate the well-developed wet forest swamp coal and gravel quality, sedimentological analyses, and micropetro- zone. The coal from this zone has high presence of Textinite and graphic and palynological studies of coal from the Kovin deposit I-Ib partly Ulminite; coal seam. Micropetrographic and palynological studies were made on 3. Reed marsh zone is related to more dry parts of the moor, and is rep- the same boreholes samples, which enabled correlation of the obtained resented by ferns (Polypodiaceae and Myrica). Textinite, together results. with high presence of Attrinite and Densinite, prevail in the coal from Palynological analyses were performed on thin sections. They were this zone; considered from the several aspects: affirmation of palynomorphs con- 4. Forests around the moor zone consisted of: Carya, Salix, Platanus, tent and determination of their taxa and biostratigraphic features as Betula, Fagus, and Liquidambar. well as identification of organic facies and palynofacies to mark sedi- The coal from this zone has high presence of Textinite with presence mentation environment reconstruction. of Inertinite and Densinite. In thin sections dominate wooden type of Core samples were collected during geological investigation. For organic matter which indicate the swamp type of sedimentation. Ac- maceral analysis, the coal was crushed to a maximum particle size of cording to the coalification degree, coal from the Kovin deposit belongs 3 mm, mounted in epoxy resin and then ground and polished. Maceral to the soft brown coals. analysis based on 500 points was performed at normal and ultraviolet After analysis of petrographic composition of coal and organic reflected light, using the oil immersion. The procedure and terminol- facies, it was concluded that in the Kovin coal dominate the organic ogy used in the maceral analysis are recommended by the International matter with structure – poorly gelified tissue (textinite), while the amor- Commmittee for Coal Petrology (ICCP). phous, altered remnants of huminite and resinite are rare.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTHERN BALTIC LAGOONS AND THE HUMAN IMPACT ON THESE AREAS

Grazyna Miotk-Szpiganowicz Polish Geological Institute, Branch of Marine Geology, 80-328 Gdansk, Koscierska 5, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

According to their origin, geomorphology and hydrology, lagoons with the Mesolithic type of economy are not so distinct in the pollen and coastal lakes can be jointly defined as the lagoons of the southern diagrams. They are palynologicaly dated on the end of Atlantic and the coast of the Baltic because they were formed at the time of and due to Subboreal. At that time people living on these areas occupied them- the Atlantic (Littorina) transgression of the Southern Baltic. In the Polish selves mainly with fishing and seal hunting. They were also familiar with coastal zone, several shallow lagoons have been formed at that time. amber working. Typical Neolithic activities, such as husbandry and ag- The biggest are: Szczecin Lagoon located on German-Polish border, and riculture were of less importance. On the pollen diagrams such kind of Vistula Lagoon on Polish-Russian border. human activities are marked by an increase in amount of the synant- The beginning of the lagoonal muddy deposition varied in these la- ropic plants, as: Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae, Plantago lanceolata and goons and depends on the age of barrier development. The oldest is the single grains of Cerealia. Vistula Lagoon created in the beginning of the Atlantic. A little younger The human impact connected with agriculture began not earlier are Lagoons: Jamno, Sarbsko, Puck and Szczecin. The youngest is the then in the Subatlantic. The reason of that was the character of environ- Gardno Lagoon, which start to develop at the end of the Subboreal. ment with no suitable conditions for such kind of human economy The palynological results show that during the end of Atlantic de- It is known that during the Atlantic (Littorina) transgression this re- ciduous forest with lime (Tilia), elm (Ulmus) and oak (Quercus) dominat- gion was under the direct marine influence. According to the biostrati- ed the investigated areas. During the Subboreal, hornbeam (Carpinus) graphic (pollen and diatom) information the increase of such influences and beech (Fagus) gradually replaced lime and elm in the composition were marked ca. 7000, 6000, 5000 and 4000 years BP. The marine influ- of the forest. Very important role in the close vicinity of the lagoons ences of the Post-Littorina period were associated predominantly with was played by alder (Alnus), which formed forests in habitats with poor the influxes of sea water through the more or less developed barriers. drainage or on periodically flooded places. That is why these events are not synchronous, as they depend on the The human impact on these areas was strictly connected with degree of isolation of the water body from the sea more than on the their historical evolution. The first traces of human activity, connected increase of the sea level.

94 ANGIOSPERM DIVERSITY AND BIOLOGY OF THE LOWER CRETACEOUS CR ATO FORMATION BR AZIL

Barbara A. R. Mohr1, Mary E.C. Bernardes-de-Oliveira2 and Denise Pons3 1 Museum of Natural History of the Humboldt University Berlin, Department of Palaeontology, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10 115 Berlin, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 CEPPE – Post-Graduation, Research and Specialization Center of the University Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina 1, 07023-070, Guarulhos (SP), Brazil and Institute of Geosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Lago 562, Cidade Universitária, 05508-080, São Paulo (SP), Brazil 3 Paléobiodiversité et Paléoenvironnements, UMR 5143 CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6), 12 rue Cuvier, 75 005, Paris, France

Angiosperms are relatively diverse in the Crato Formation, with more seen today in Eupomatiaceae. A second undescribed, most likely mag- than 30 taxa, but, compared to remains of ferns and gymnosperms, rela- nolialian taxon with characteristic relatively small glanduliferous leaves tively rare. The preservation of these angiosperms is unusual in that be- that comprise the axes, developed single flowers with a slightly cup sides detached leaves, axes with attached leaves and flowers are present. shaped hypanthium with many spirally arranged free elongated pistils, In rare cases organic tissue is preserved that allows detailed studies on and stamen and/or staminodes plus relatively large tepals. Araripia flor- floral organs and cellular structures. Several groups of angiosperms are ifera, exhibits characters consistent with those of basal Laurales and/or well represented, mainly belonging to the magnoliids. Members of the basal magnolialians. Another taxon seems to be of overall small size and ANITA grade, e.g. the Nymphaeales, are clearly present with two or more is possibly herbaceous. The small, less than 1 cm long leaves are com- taxa, most likely related to the Cabombaceae, as are the Nymphaeacae pound, petiolate and incised. The fossil bears a rather mature flowering based on overall morphology, flowering structures, and in situ seeds. structure that consists of several most likely fully grown, up to 2.5 cm Monocotyledons seem to have been present as well. One taxon, previ- long free follicles with distinct transverse veins; ovules have not been ously described as Trifurcatia flabellata (now Klitzschophyllites flabellata) observed. Possibly this taxon may have had affinities either to Magnoli- may have been a monocot adapted to extreme environmental condi- ids or to Ranunculales, a group that was already present at this time pe- tions. A second taxon has been considered to belong to the Bromeliace- riod. Eudicots are certainly present, perhaps belonging to the Proteales. ae. Magnolialian angiosperms seem to have dominated the macroflora. According to the pollen record, several taxa of tri- and tetracolpate pol- Among these, Endressinia brasiliana shows several characters, such as len, typical for the eudicots were recognised. apocarpous carpels, and glanduliferous staminodes, features that are

LATEST CRETACEOUS AND PALEOCENE FLOROGENESIS IN THE NORTH PACIFIC REGION: ROLE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND PLANT MIGR ATION

Maria G. Moiseeva1 and Alexei B. Herman1 1 Geological Institute, Russian Acad. Sci., Moscow 119017, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

In North-eastern Russia, the late Maastrichtian Koryak Flora reflects in the North Pacific Region was not affected by florogenetically signifi- broadleaved – coniferous vegetation and comprises about 33 species, cant catastrophic event and (2) the Koryak Flora possibly sourced many with Metasequoia occidentalis, Corylites beringianus and a few species of of the Sagwon 1 taxa as the Paleocene warming took place. Trochodendroides being the most abundant. Other characteristic plants The Danian(?)-Selandian Sagwon 2 Flora of Northern Alaska com- are Equisetum arcticum, Onoclea hesperia, Mesocyparis beringiana, Glyp- prises Metasequoia occidentalis (many), Metasequoia male cones, Taxo- tostrobus nordenskioldii, Elatocladus talensis, Haemanthophyllum corda- dium (?) sp. (many), Mesocyparis (?) sp., Tiliaephyllum tsagajanicum (pre- tum, Sparganiophyllum sp., Cissites pekulneensis, C. hermanii, Nyssidium dominates), Trochodendroides ex gr. arctica, “Acer” arcticum, Viburniphyl- arcticum, Rarytkinia amaamensis, Ettingshausenia raynoldsii, Celastrinites lum sp., fructification, bract of unknown affinity. Sagwon 2 Flora differs septentrionalis, Liriophyllum aeternum, Amaamia tshucotica, Platimelis from the Sagwon 1 Flora in both systematic composition and dominat- platanoides etc. ing species. Although much less diverse, the Sagwon 2 Flora is similar to In Northern Alaska, the Campanian(?)-Maastrichtian Late Kogosu- the Danian Upper Tsagayan Flora of the Amur River Region, south of the kruk Flora is characterized by a predominance of Parataxodium wigginsii Russian Far East. The latter flora is characterised by abundant Tiliaephyl- and Equisetites, whereas angiosperms (Quereuxia angulata, Carpolithes lum tsagajanicum, with Metasequoia occidentalis, Taxodium, Mesocyparis, sp.) are very rare. This flora differs from the Koryak Flora in low diver- Trochodendroides ex gr. arctica, Viburniphyllum and “Acer” arcticum be- sity (13 species) and probably reflects coniferous vegetation existed in ing also numerous. The early Paleogene climate warming, which had its a cooler climate than that experienced by the Koryak Flora. maximum in the early Eocene, probably allowed the plants typical of the The Sagwon 1 Flora of Northern Alaska is most likely of Danian age. Upper Tsagayan Flora to invade Northern Alaska during the Danian(?)- It shows the closest similarity to the late Maastrichtian Koryak Flora Selandian time. in North-eastern Russia. Corylites beringianus, Trochodendroides and Therefore, the high latitude flora of North-eastern Asia and North Metasequoia occidentalis are dominants of both floras; other taxa in com- America provides no evidence of catastrophic change at the Creta- mon are Equisetum arcticum, Onoclea hesperia, Metasequoia cones, Nys- ceous/Tertiary boundary. Gradual development of the Maastrichtian- sidium arcticum, Liriophyllum cf. aeternum, as well as genera Mesocyparis, Selandian flora of the North Pacific Region may, in all likelihood, be due Haemanthophyllum, Sparganiophyllum, Phragmites, Rarytkinia, Etting- to a long-term climatic and evolutionary change. Early-middle Pale- shausenia, Celastrinites and Cissites. On the other hand, the Sagwon 1 ocene floral evolution in Northern Alaska was probably controlled by Flora differs significantly from the Alaskan Late Kogosukruk Flora. These plant migrations from the adjacent regions of Asia. imply that (1) the floristic change near the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary

95 POLLEN R AIN AND SUBFOSSIL SPECTR A ON SOUTH RUSSIAN FAR EAST

Ludmila M. Mokhova Pacific Institute of Geography Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, 690041, Russia

The tests of pollen rain (PR) were selected in 1984–1985 and 1998– mus and Alnus (by phenological data, they did not blossom yet and were 2004 in the western part of Muraviev-Amursky peninsula and in the mid- taken, at passage of air weights of territories, where the flowering already dle stream of the Partizanskaya River (Primorye Territory, Russia). The began). Spectra of river and meander lake subfossil silt parallel were in- structure of PR (selection 1984–1985 and 1998) as a whole corresponds vestigated. The large quantity of allochtonous pollen from the top zone of to modern phytocoenosis: the pollen of broad-leaved and shrub breeds mountains covered by dark coniferous taiga (Picea, Abies, Pinus koraiensis prevail. The structure PR (selection 2002–2004) essentially differs and re- Siebold et Zucc.) is marked in the pollen spectra of the riverbed facies. The flects dust storm influence from Mongolia and China. The huge quantity pollen spectra from meander lake facies in downstream of the rivers allow of pollen of family Chenopodiacea, Compositae, Leguminosae, Umbellif- allocating the broad-leaved forest belt (with Pinus koraiensis Siebold et erae is marked, the amount of their pollen, usual even in peak of flower- Zucc) and are more informative for paleo-landscape reconstructions. The ing does not exceed first tens. The Ephedra pollen, earlier in PR not met marked essential change of PR structure after influence of dust storms is met. The dust storms (21–22.03.02, 25–26.03.02, 15–21.04.03, 7–9.04.04) from contiguous territories influences also to formation subfossil sporen- were marked by a plenty of wood pollen; there was a huge quantity of Ul- pollen complexes. The grant FEBRAS.

BORING BIOSTR ATIGR APHY? DATING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF EARLY VEGETATION AND ENVIRONMENTS FROM THE OLD RED SANDSTONE, WALES

Jennifer Morris School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3YE, Wales, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

Over the past 40 years, the study of early land plant megafossils and Previous studies have discovered a variety of palaeontology: in their insitu spores, integrated with the dispersed spore record from the reduced green siltstone and sandstone beds plant horizons, fish speci- Anglo-Welsh Basin has contributed much to the understanding of the mens and a trigonotarbid have been discovered. In oxidised red beds, evolution and diversity of vegetation from Old Red Sandstone environ- arthropod trackways, fish trails and Beaconites barretti burrows and ments. The late Silurian-Early Devonian is a key time interval for the have been cited. evolution of vascular plants, but ecological and evolutionary studies Important to evolutionary studies is accurate dating. The Old Red are hampered by the lack of well-preserved megafossils from terrestrial Sandstone is dated using fish and miospores assemblage biozones. red bed deposits. A better understanding of the Old Red Sandstone en- Borehole drilling at the quarry for palynological samples also allows for vironments and taphonomy will help distinguish between patterns of a detailed study of the sedimentology and megafossil assemblages. ecological variation and taphonomic effects. Therefore an integrated Initial studies indicate that the megafossil assemblages occur in two approach is required, linking palaeobotany with sedimentological stud- facies types: rhyniophytoids such as Cooksonia, Salopella and Uskiella ies. are found in fine-grained grey-green sandstones, in association with One site suitable for such a study is Tredomen Quarry, Brecon. It is large sterile smooth axes. However, thinner lens of green fine siltstones an increasingly important site for the understanding of early Devonian contain finer plant fibres, smaller sporangia and Prototaxites. ecosystems and depositional environments. Sedimentology is essen- Despite the presence of rhyniophytoids, miospores are poorly rep- tially green channel sandstones, with lag conglomerates, fining up into resented in the palynological samples from the same beds. Instead, heterolithic sheet flood deposits, followed by pedified red siltstones there is an abundance of cryptospores (mainly monads and dyads) to- and mudstones floodplain deposits. These sediments were likely to have gether with phytodebris, such as cuticles and tubular masses. This may been deposited in broad, ephemeral and high-velocity fluvial systems. be the result of a taphonomic bias towards cryptospore preservation or Palaeosols are particularly distinct and useful environmental indicators. relate to true ecological variation. A closer examination of the sedimen- The presence of vertisol features indicates a semi-arid environment with tary facies and taphonomic biases associated with these cryptospores seasonal wet periods. may reveal information on the ecology of the parent plants.

THE EARLY CARBONIFEROUS PHYTOGEOGR APHY: DYNAMICS OF LOCAL PLANT WORLDS

Yulia V. Mosseichik Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevskii per., 7, Moscow, 119017, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Formation of Earth’s plant cover during Palaeozoic is usually con- graphical units in Laurussia and Angaraland with regard for palaeoeco- sidered as a process of progressive phytogeographical differentiation logical data allows us to come to different conclusions. starting in the Late Devonian- Early Carboniferous. This process consist- The Devonian and Early Carboniferous were characterized by the ed, on one hand, in the gradual growth of the geographical peculiarity lack of widespread natural plant species, genera and families. The well- of the biggest regional floras with the formation of floristic realms and known large-scale area disjunctions seem to have been related with the regions. On the other hand, these high-rank phytogeographical units directed, parallel development of similar forms. differentiated into smaller ones – provinces, districts, etc. (Vakhrameev The land geographical zonation was perhaps limited by the existence et al., 1978; Meyen, 1987; Wnuk, 1996; etc.). of climatic (first of all, thermal) belts. The first zonal landscape complexes Reconstruction of the history of the Early Carboniferous phytogeo- with developed plant cover, in particular, the tropical coal forests, ap-

96 peared not before the middle of the Carboniferous (Cleal, Thomas, 2005). isolated land territories, which can be considered as floristic realms and Due to the low (in comparison with the younger forms) ability for regions of that time. As the interregional floristic change intensified dispersal and ecogenetic expansion of the early land spore-bearing and (from the Triassic to the Present), the floristic realms and regions gradu- gymnosperm plants, the Early Carboniferous vegetation occupied mainly ally became more and more similar to the recent ones. wet lowlands along the margins of continents. The mountains and vast During the Early Carboniferous besides usually distinguished Gond- uplands remained unoccupied by plants (Davitashvili, 1971; etc.). wanan, Euramerican and Angaran palaeofloristic realms (kingdoms) The plant communities consisted of one or a few species and were there were also the Kazakhstan and Catasian ones. The presence of the characterized by simple structure and succession dynamics (Terrestrial common Late Devonian “root” of these units on the florogenetic tree, ecosystems, 1992; etc.). supposed by some authors (Meyen, 1987; etc.), is not confirmed with The intensity of micro- and, particularly, macroevolution processes phytogeographical data. seems to be diminished mainly from the equator to poles (Kryshto- The geographical diversity of Earth’s plant cover at the beginning of fovich, 1945; Meyen, 1987; etc.). Probably, in both hemispheres there Late Palaeozoic was formed by the way of local development of the small existed at least three “belts” with the maximum biological productivity phytogeographical units, which expanding, fusing and interchanging of palaeoecosystems and perhaps with higher intensity of evolutionary by forms, could give rise to units of the higher rank. The last process was processes, resulting from the periodical law of the geographical zonality evidently connected with the Early Carboniferous evolutionary radia- (Grigoriev, Budyko, 1966). tion and ecogenetic expansion of the gymnosperms and with the great The Early Carboniferous phytogeography represented “a patch- changes of palaeogeographical situation. work” of small phytogeographycal units within the limits of the largest

PALYNOMORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF EXTANT BASAL MONOCOTS: A CLUE TO UNFOLDING TR AITS OF POLLEN EVOLUTION IN CROWN MONOCOT LINEAGES

Andriy L. Mosyakin1, 2 and Zoya M. Tsymbalyuk1 1 M. G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2 Tereshchenkivska Street, Kyiv (Kiev), 01601 Ukraine, e-mail: [email protected] 2 National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, 2 H. Skovorody Street, Kyiv (Kiev), 04070, Ukraine, e-mail: [email protected]

Recent molecular and morphological phylogenetic studies shed monocots. However, recent studies (Penet et al., 2005) demonstrated new light on the “evergreen” problem of origin and early evolution of that similar monosulcate patterns can be formed on different develop- angiosperms. Despite conflicting results obtained in studies involving mental bases. Surface patterns are also diverse (psilate, areolate, reticu- selected plastid and nuclear genes in many taxa and whole plastid ge- late, granular, costate, spinulose etc.). nomes, which resulted in different tree topologies (e.g., “Amborella-ba- We can conclude that the basic trends of subsequent morphologi- sal” trees and the basal monocot-dicot split), the main trends in phylog- cal evolution in crown monocot lineages were already established dur- eny and evolution of angiosperms become clearer. Monocots, regard- ing the initial stages of evolutionary differentiation and diversification less of different views on their exact phylogenetic position, are among of ancient basal monocots. In that case, the high diversity of palynomor- the basal lineages of flowering plants. It is now clear from molecular phological characters observed in extant basalmost monocot lineages clock studies and fossil record that many extant monocot lineages cor- can be interpreted as a relictual phenomenon reflecting the early stages responding to orders, families, and even genera were well developed of morphological diversification of pollen in ancient ancestral mono- during the Cretaceous-Tertiary transition, or were already present in the cots. Similar palynomorphological regularities (phylogenetically basal Early Cretaceous times. groups demonstrating diverse traits as precursors for further pollen We report results of our analysis (based on literature and original evolution) were observed by Z. Tsymbalyuk in basal clades (e.g., tribe SEM data) of palynomorphological peculiarities of selected groups of Beteae) of Chenopodiaceae (dicots, caryophyllids). Of course, basal line- basal extant monocots belonging to orders Acorales and Alismatales ages do not always possess ancestral traits; they can be morphologically (sensu APG, 2003). Pollen grains of representatives of these early-split- progressive and derived as well. Further morphological studies of pol- ting groups are unexpectedly morphologically diverse: by pollen ap- len grains of extant basal monocot, in combination with paleopalyno- erture types, there are taxa with monosulcate, disulcate, inaperturate, logical data, can provide more detail to the general pattern of pollen 2-3-4-porate, and polyporate (incl. pantoporate) pollen. Monosulcate evolution in monocots. pollen has been often regarded as most primitive for angiosperms and

LOWER PERMIAN CONIFERS OF THE UR ALS RUSSIA

Sergey V. Naugolnykh Geological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevskii per. 7, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Localities dominated by walchian conifers (family Walchiaceae sharovii S. Meyen (Meyen, 1997), which undoubtedly belongs to Walchi- Schimper and its close relatives), or where these plants were widely aceae. Newly collected material from the type locality enables to cor- spread, are quite typical for uppermost Carboniferous and Lower Per- rect its taxonomic concept. One of the well preserved specimens shows mian deposits of the Northern Hemisphere. The northern most area in female cone of Kungurodendron sharovii attached to the leafy shoot of Eastern hemisphere where walchian conifers grew during Early Permian, Walchia appressa Zalessky, the species described by M.D. Zalessky (1937). was the western slope of the Cis-Urals (Russia). There they were repre- The latter species was also cited as Cyparissidium appressum (Meyen, sented by several species, which could be attributed to Walchiaceae s.s. 1997). Since the name Walchia appressa has priority, new combination and Bartheliaceae Rothwell et Mapes (2001). for the plant described on the basis of the whole-plant-concept should One of the well-known and most convincingly interpreted Lower be proposed. Permian conifers of the Urals is a species designated as Kungurodendron Another Lower Permian conifer of the Urals is a plant morphological-

97 ly diverse and described under several different names, such as Bardella SEM. According to macromorphology, epidermal characters, cones and splendida Zalessky 1937, Ammatopsis mira Zalessky 1937, “Ullmannia” pollen structure B. splendida should be assigned to Bartheliaceae. bardaeana Zalessky 1937, “Voltzia” prisca Zalessky 1939, “V.” principalis Phytogeographically all the walchian conifer-containing localities Zalessky 1939, Bardospermum rigidum S. Meyen 1990. The name Bardella (including Russian Cis-Urals) form a relatively narrow belt from North splendida has priority and should be used as a senior synonym. Holotype Africa through Europe (including the European part of Russia and the of B. splendida was studied both macro- and micromorphologically (by Urals) to the United States and southern most part of Canada (Prince means of epidermal-cuticular analysis for the first time). One additional Edward Island). According to the most acceptable interpretation of Wal- specimen attributed to B. splendida shows a leafy shoot with attached chia-related conifers (Walchiaceae and Bartheliaceae families) as the dry bifurcated leaves and a male cone disposed near the shoot apex. The environment inhabitants, we can conclude that this belt corresponds to cone has been macerated. Numerous pollen grains similar to Potonieis- the Northern Hemisphere semiarid or arid climatic zone, which can be porites Bhardwaj or Florinites Schopf et al. were extracted and studied in informally named “Walchia-biome” (Ziegler et al., 2002).

POLLEN ANALYSIS OF THE REJVÍZ BOG

Lydie Navrátilová Institute of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Terezy Novákové 64, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The poster presents the preliminary results of pollen analysis, be- vaginatum, Ledum palustre and other plants of the Oxycocco- Sphagnet- ing in progress from the Holocene raised bog profile in the Rejvíz bog ea vegetation. Surrounding vegeation is formed by spruce plantations, – Moravian Silesia, Czech Republic. The site is situated in northern foot- however, mixed forest with Fagus sylvatica, Abies alba and Picea abies are hill of the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. at an elevation of 750 m. The thickness of reconstructed for the past. The results of pollen analysis cover 300 cm peat is cca 660 cm and the age is estimated back to about 8–9 thousand at the moment. The work continues with pollen analysis of the lower of years. The bog is covered by Pinus rotundata stands with Eriophorum samples of the profile.

ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE ON ALBIAN AGE PALYNOLOGY OF THE PINDA FORMATION, CABINDA, ANGOLA

Sheldon N. Nelson Chevron Energy Technology Company, San Ramon, California, USA

The Albian Pinda Formation, found offshore Cabinda, Angola, was In contrast, the lower portion of the Pinda Formation in Block 2 is deposited under primarily near shore, restricted marine conditions. characterized by a palynomorph assemblage dominated almost exclu- A zonation of the Albian palynological assemblages found in the Pinda sively by Cribroperidinium spp., with only a minor presence of Trichodin- Fm. consists of nine subdivisions, based on time and environmentally ium sp. B, and the more extensively ornamented form Trichodinium sp. A. controlled parameters. Assemblage zones are reflective of transgressive The marked difference in the character of the apparently time synchro- lowstand units, highstand units, regressive and progradational units, nous lower Pinda age assemblage in Block O and Block 2 is interpreted and maximum flooding surfaces. as a distinctly different biologic response to local paleoenvironmental The Block O and Block 2 set of wells, providing the palynologic data conditions. described in this presentation, are located offshore Cabinda, and spa- The overlying Cenomanian sediment in both Block O and Block 2 tially separated by a distance of approximately 50 km. (Vermelha Formation), is generally characterized by a more open marine In both Block O and Block 2, the upper portion of the Pinda Forma- palynomorph assemblage, dominated by Subtilisphaera spp., Coronifera tion is zoned primarily on the diagnostic, sequential “flooding” events oceanica, Cyclonephelium spp., Florentinia radiculata, Cyclonephelium of the marine taxa Subtilisphaera spp. and Leiosphaeridium spp., and the membraniphorum, and Dinopterygium tuberculatum, with the diagnos- presence and relative abundance of Cyclonephelium spp., Schizea certa, tic presence and abundance of Classopollis brasiliensis. The top Albian is Striatricolpites “takulaensis”, Elaterocolpites castelanii, Elaterosporites locally defined by the initial downhole occurrence of Afropollis jardinus klaszii, and Afropollis jardinus. In Block O the lower portion of the Pinda and Schizea certa. The underlying Aptian age unit is characteristically is characterized and zoned based principally on the relative abundance terrestrial; dominated by specimens of Classopollis spp. of Trichodinium spp., and secondarily on the first downhole presence of In Cabinda, both the definition of the top of the Albian, and the Batiacasphaera sp., Elaterosporites verrucatus, Elaterosporites protensus, top of the Aptian sediments are believed to be regionally isochronous Muderongia sp., Diconodinium sp. and vessiculate pollen. events.

A CERCIDIPHYLLUMLIKE HAMAMELID FRUCTIFICATION FROM THE LATE CRETACEOUS OF HOKK AIDO, JAPAN

Harufumi Nishida Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan, e-mail: [email protected]

Here introduced is an angiosperm fructification from the Late Creta- wise and 5 anticlockwise parasticous lines. There is no trace suggesting ceous (Coniacian-Santonian) Yezo Group of Hokkaido, Japan. The fructi- the presence of petals, stamens, and bracts subtending each follicle on fication was embedded in a calcareous concretion partly exposed on the the main axis. The follicles are elongate, 30–40 mm long, ca. 3 mm wide, rock surface. It is ca. 57 mm long, consisting of a woody axis ca. 5 mm in with a short stipe less than 4 mm long lacking abscission tissue. The fol- diameter at the base, radiating >25 follicles in tight helices with 7 clock- licle consists of a conduplicate carpel tapering distally, and has a long

98 dorsal slit reaching to its ultimate tip without a typically differentiated The fossil follicle resembles those of extant Cercidiphyllum or fossil ge- stigma. The carpel has pair of dorsal bundles along each margin of the nus Joffrea in general structure. However, the entire fructification of thep- dorsal slit, one ventral bundle, and a meshwork of lateral bundles. More resent fossil represents a single flower in contrast to the follicle clusters than 60 seeds are tightly packed in the follicle, attached alternately in of both Cercidyphyllum and Joffrea, which are interpreted as developed two rows on both internal sides of the dorsal slit with a short stipe. The from an inflorescence rather than a flower. The absence of subtending ovule was probably anatropous. The seed is flat, vertically compressed bract at the base of each follicle in the fossil supports this interpretation. along the longitudinal axis of the follicle, and is elongated toward the The lack of differentiated stigma on the carpel tip, the narrow lateral seed radial axis of the follicle; ca. 2 mm long, 1 mm wide, and 1 mm thick. wings composed of rather thick tissues are also characteristic of the fossil. On the upper side of the main seed body are developed narrow lateral The thick wing tissue developed on the upper side of the seed may adap- wings composed of rather thick parenchyma. Seed coat consists of thick tive to both wind and water dispersals, or represents early diversification outer and thin inner layers, each originates from the outer and inner in- stage of the seed dispersal mechanism toward wind dispersal in the Late tegument, respectively. No embryo was preserved. Cretaceous stem group of Cercidiphyllum-like plants.

EARLY FLOWERING PLANTS: EVIDENCE FOR AND AGAINST AQUATIC HABIT AND POLLINATION SYNDROMES

Kevin C. Nixon L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Department of Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

In recent years, cladistic analyses of angiosperm relationships comitant confusion about their role in early angiosperm evolution. The based on molecular (DNA sequence) data have resulted in widely differ- presence of the Nymphaeales in such a “basal” position in many molec- ing inferred phylogenies. These phylogenies have also generally devi- ular trees has resulted in some speculation about the possible aquatic ated from “classical” interpretations of early evolution of angiosperms nature of early angiosperms. The recent discovery of obviously aquatic based on comparisons with favored outgroups or putative ancestors early angiosperms from the early Cretaceous (e.g., Archaefructus) bears ranging from bennettitalean cycadeoids and/or cupulate “seed ferns” directly on such speculation. Depending on which molecular tree is to gnetopsids. In turn, many pre-cladistic schema for early evolution accepted and on the placement of particular fossils, the original com- of angiosperms were based on Besseyan dicta beginning with magno- mon ancestor of all modern angiosperms (the so-called “stem” group lioid features and evolving along multiple independent lines incurring of Simpson) may be optimally inferred as aquatic, terrestrial, or ambigu- reduction and stabilization of floral parts and transitions from woody ous for this feature. The likely modern gymnosperm outgroup(s), and to herbaceous and eventually aquatic lineages. Recent molecular phyl- possible ancestral/sister group fossil clades, also bear directly on this ogenies, on the other hand, provide very different possibilities both for question. An apparent widespread misunderstanding of the nature of gymnospermous outgroups/ancestors and for the features of primitive pollination in most modern fully aquatic angiosperms (sometimes erro- angiosperms based on optimal character mapping at the base of the neously referred to as “underwater” pollination) also needs to be recti- inferred angiosperm tree. Unfortunately, modern clades which are sister fied in this context. groups of much larger clades are often referred to as “basal” with con-

NEW FINDINGS OF THE GENUS OSWALDHEERIA M.N. BOSE ET MANUM MIROVIACEAE, CONIFERS

Natalya V. Nosova Komarov Botanical Institute RAS, St. Petersburg, Russia

The family Moroviaceae was introduced by Bose and Manum (1990) species, O. orientalis N. Nosova (2001). This locality is the southernmost for Mesozoic conifers that have a leaf epidermis structure similar to the occurrence of Oswaldheeria. modern genus Sciadopitys Siebold et Zucce. The specific feature of Mi- Abramova (1985) described Sciadopitys neosibiricus from the Lower roviaceae leaves is the single stomatal zone situated on the lower leaf Cretaceous of New Siberian Islands (arctic region). We have studied surface. The family includes five genera distinguished by both morpho- the epidermal structures of holotype leaves and are transferring it to logical and epidermal characters. One of this genera, Oswaldheeria, is Oswaldheeria neosibirica (L.N. Abramova) N. Nosova (2001). This is the characterized by linear or lanceolate leaves tapering towards the leaf easternmost known locality of the genus. Also we have a finding of O. base and by stomata situated on the lower leaf surface and arranged in neosibirica from the Upper Cretaceous of Mid Ural. a single stomatal zone that is not embedded into a groove. The authors Two new species of Oswaldheeria are found in the Middle Jurassic of the genus described four species, O. hallei (the type species), O. arc- of Mangyshlak (Kazakhstan). They represent the first records of Oswald- tica, O. scotica and O. macrophylla. Later, Hvalj (1997) transferred Sciado- heeria from Central Asia. pitys latiuscula Kiritchk. to O. latiuscula and Mirovia sibirica (Samyl.) Bose M. Reymanowna (1985) described a new genus Mirovia from the et Manum to O. samylinae. Middle Jurassic of the Krakow region (Poland). A detailed epidermal A detailed epidermal study of the specimens including the holo- study of the specimens permits the reliable assignment them to two type from the Lower Cretaceous of the Markha River Basin (Eastern Si- genera from family Miroviaceae: Mirovia and Oswaldheeria (O. polonica beria) revealed that O. latiuscula leaves are identical to the leaves of O. N. Nosova et Wcislo-Luraniec). macrophylla from the Middle Jurassic of northern Norway. Thus, the distribution of Oswaldheeria appears to be much wider The revision of the available material and epidermal study of the than it was previously thought. In addition to the Arctic Canada, Green- leaves from the Lower Cretaceous of the southern Primorye described land and Northern Europe, we report this genus from the Middle Jurassic as Sciadopitys sp. (Samylina, 1961) permit the reliable assignment of to the Upper Cretaceous of Poland, Ural, Central Asia, Siberia, Arctic re- these leaves to the genus Oswaldheeria, and the description of a new gion and the Far East.

99 THE EARLY WEICHSELIAN PALAEOENVIRONMENT IN THE SOUTH VALDAI UPLAND: PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CENTR AL FOREST STATE RESERVE RUSSIA

Elena Y. Novenko1, Yuri G. Pusachenko2 and Daniil N. Koslov2 1 Institut of Geography RAS, Staromonetny 29, 119017 Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, Leninskij prosp. 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia

The Central Forest State Reserve is situated in the south of the Valdai ed into two stages by a short climatic amelioration. This minor warming Upland (Tver’ region). This territory is located in the marginal part of is indicated by an increase in arboreal pollen percentages and concentra- the Weichselian glaciation, in the transitional zone from south taiga to tion. In this phase, birch open woodlands spread over the area, while the mixed coniferous-broadleaved forests. proportion of grassland was slightly reduced. There are certain data indi- The detail paleobotanical researches were carried out for a bore- cating existence of similar small-scale warmings inside the Herning cool- hole 8 m in depth in the southeast of the Reserve (56°35’ N, 32°55’ E). The ing all over Europe. For example, there are ‘birch intervals’ in the sections series of peat and clay lie on a till of Dnieper (Moscow stage) glaciation. Rederstall-I (Menke and Tynni, 1984), Groebern (Litt, 1994), Ples (Borisova, The upper part of the section (Holocene peat) is separated from buried Novenko, 2005) where the Early Weichselian deposits are most fully rep- organic deposits by thin horizon of loess-like sediments. resented and studied in detail. Probably, the climate of the initial part of The pollen and macrofossil data on the lower layers of this sequence the glacial epoch was characterized by inner instability resulting in the recorded a typical succession of forest communities during the Eemien sequence of second-, and even third-order climatic oscillations expressed (Mikulino) Interglacial. Pollen profile indicate the broad-leaved for- against the background of the overall trend towards cooling. est dominated by oak and elm, with participation of lime, maple and This first Early Weichselian cold stage was followed by a warming. ash in the first half of the Interglacial and hornbeam at the optimum Changes in pollen assemblages at this stage reflect a rapid afforesta- phase. During the second half of warm period, the gradual cooling and tion of the area. Birch woodlands with participation of spruce became increasing humidity of climate brought about a development of dark- widespread during the first half of the interval. Larch, pine and spruce coniferous communities. The end of the Interglacial (so-called “pine forests with Siberian pine, similar to the contemporary middle taiga in zone” – biosone E7 by Menke and Tynni, 1984, or M8 by Grichuk, 1982) West Siberia, were predominant during its second half. By the composi- was characterized by unstable environments. A number of short-term tion of pollen spectra and flora, this warm interval in the section of the phases of pine-birch forests with spruce alternating with birch wood- Reserve is similar to the Verkhnevolzhsky (Upper Volga) interstade, cor- lands were identified. responding to the Brörup phase in West Europe. According to data available, the first post-Eemian cooling was divid- This work was supported by RFBR grant № 05-05-64479.

NEW DATA ON EARLY JUR ASSIC FLOR A FROM WEST ANTARCTICA

Anna Maria Ociepa Jagiellonian University, Institute of Botany, 31-501 Kraków, ul. Kopernika 27, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

The material used for this study comes from the Early Jurassic Mount Brong. emend. Harris (Sphenophyta), Coniopteris simplex (Lindley and Hut- flora, West Antarctica. It was collected by prof. K. Birkenmajer (in 1987 ton) Harris and Cladophlebis harrisii van Cittert (Pteridophyta), Otozamites and 1988) and by prof. A. Gaździcki (in 1991). gramineus (Phillips) Harris (Cycadophyta, Bennettitales) and genus Conites Beside species, that were described earlier from Antarctica, like: Sternberg emend. Cleal and Rees (Cycadophyta incertae sedis). Schizolepidella gracilis Halle (Hepatophyta), Equisetum laterale Phillips These taxa are known only from Laurasia, except Coniopteris sim- emend. Harris, emend. Gould (Sphenophyta), Coniopteris lobata (Old- plex, which is known from Africa, too, and except genus Conites. ham and Morris) Halle and Cladophlebis antarctica Nathorst (Pterido- There are also some taxa new to science: Palaeocalypogeia antarc- phyta), Komlopteris indica (Feistmantel) Barbacka emend. Rees and Cleal tica gen. et sp. nov. (Hepatophyta), Crossozamia mirabilis sp. nov. (Cyca- (Pteridospermophyta), Nilssonia taeniopteroides Halle (Cycadophyta, dophyta, Cycadales) and Pagiophyllum jarii sp. nov. (Coniferophyta). Cycadales), Otozamites linearis Halle (Cycadophyta, Bennettitales), Elato- These plants grew in the river valley and on the slopes of mountains, cladus confertus (Oldham and Morris) Halle (Coniferophyta), there are in warm climate. some new data, as well. This work was supported by Polish State Committee for Scientific To the new species for Antarctica belong: Equisetum cf. columnare Research, KBN Grant No 2P04C00127.

NEOGENE DIATOM ASSEMBLAGES FROM LACUSTRINE SEDIMENTS OF SERBIA AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN THE CORRELATIVE FORMATION IN SW BULGARIA AND REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

Nadja G. Ognjanova-Rumenova Dept. Palaeontology and Stratigraphy, Institute of Geology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G.Bonchev str. 24, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria, e-mail: [email protected]

The evolution of lacustrine diatoms and the mecanism of their distri- cal processes. The subject is the colonization of diatoms and their evolu- bution in Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo are accomplished for the first tion in the continental basins from graben structures in Serbia, Montene- time. This study requires detailed description of the Neogene nonmarine gro and Kosovo, the determination of the main stages in the evolution of sediments, their exact dating, as well as clarifying of the palaeolimnologi- the Mio-Pliocene diatom floras developed in the studied region.

100 As a part of the IGCP project № 329 “Palaeogeographic and palae- The oldest known lacustrine centric diatoms in the Tertiary basins of oecological evolution of Paratethyan basins during Neogene and their Serbia are known from the Middle Miocene - Open coal mine “Lubnica”, correlation to the global scales” the diatom assemblages from fourteen unnamed unit. Aulacoseira Thw., Ellerbeckia Crawf., Melosira Ag. and Ac- grabens were studied. In five of them diatom-bearing samples were tinocyclus Ehr. developed during that time. Identical, but very dissolved separated: Vranje basin, Vranje Miocene complex; Open coal mine “Lub- and deformed diatom frustules are determined on the territory of Bul- nica”; Kolubara basin, open coal mine; Plevlja basin; Metohia basin (Da- garia - Simitli basin (Simitli Fm). The Late Miocene stage is presented kovica), Metohia Formation. All samples were outcrop materials. by a diatom assemblage, which consists of coarsely ornamented forms Until now the development of the different planktonic genera of of genus Aulacoseira, in Vranje and Kolubara basins. Similar rough spe- class Centrophyceae (Bacillariophyta) is very important in diatom bios- cies Aulacoseira are the dominants in diatomaceous sediments of Gotse tratigraphic subdivision. They are more useful for biostratigraphy than Delchev basin (Baldevo Fm.) and Elhovo Basin (Elhovo Fm.), SW Bulgaria are benthic diatoms, which have a more localized distribution deter- and Prespa basin, Macedonia. The Pliocene stage coincides with the mined by depth, substrata etc. The main stages in the biochronological gradual extinction of Actinocyclus, the first occurrence of Pliocaenicus scheme in the region of Balkan Peninsula have been published previous- Round and Hak. and Cyclostephanos Round, and different Stephanodis- ly. The development of the genera of class Centrophyceae is dependent cus Ehr., Cyclotella (Kutz.)Breb. and Aulacoseira species domination. Very on the palaeoenvironmental changes in the lake evolution (oscillations interesting and specific is the Cyclotella diatom flora from Metohia basin in the depth of the basin, changes in the water pH, temperature, differ- (Metohia Fm). ent trophic phases, etc.).

PRELIMINARY PALAEOBOTANICAL ASPECTS OF ACHLADA DEPOSIT IN NW GRECCE

Ioannis K. Oikonomopoulos1, Prodromos A. Antoniadis1, Georgios I. Kaouras1 and Hans Joachim Gregor2 1 National Technical University of Athens Department of Mining Engineering, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens, 157 73, Greece, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Palaeo-Bavarian Geological Survey, Daxerstr. 21, D-82140 Olching, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

The aim of the present study is to present the first results of the pal- cessively in a few cm distance from each other. The layers consist of al- aeobotanical analyses (petrographic analysies, pollen, seeds and fruits ternations (lignite, sand, marl and clay). Moreover, very characteristic is etc.) that resulted from the first elaboration of the samples that were the vivid occurrence of xylitic layers. The first results of coal petrographic taken from the lignite deposit of Achlada. The Achlada deposit spreads analysies indicate a prevalence of the huminite maceral group (textinite at the NE end of the east borderelands of the Florina basin of a SW–NE etc.) with high content in the liptinite maceral group. The inertinite mac- axes and is a part of the broader tectonic trench of Monastirion-Florina- eral group shows very low content. As far as the palynological analyses Kozani-Servia, which is NW–SE directed. of the first samples are concerned there is a presence of Pinaceae and The basement of the Achlada lignite deposit consists of the Meso- Nymphaeaceae. At the same time, from seeds and fruits investigations zoic formations. Above them there are Neogene sediments in which the were determined Glyptostrobus, Potamogeton etc. lignite basin of Achlada is included. The stratigraphic sequence contin- Epitomizing, according to the macro- and microscopic analyses of ues with the Quaternary sediments. The total thickness of the studied the first samples the total view that is given is an alternation from fluvial lignite deposit is aproximately 23 m while the samples were taken suc- – deltaic to lacustrine environment.

CYSTOSPORITES AND CAPPASPORITESBEARING LYCOPSID FRUCTIFICATIONS AND THEIR PARENT PLANTS FROM THE BOHEMIAN COALFIELDS, CZECH REPUBLIC

Stanislav Opluštil1, Jiří Bek2 and Jana Drábková3 1 Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Praha 6-Lysolaje, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Jana Drábková, Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Revision of lycopsid fructification compressions from the Late Pal- giganteus-producing cones are assigned to the newly established genus aeozoic continental basins of the Czech Republic based on combination Scottocarpon as a likely equivalent of the petrified genus Lepidocarpon. of cone morphology and in situ spores revealed the presence of cones Its parent plants are probably Lepidophloios, Lepidodendron s.s and Hize- that bear Cappasporites distortus microspores and Cystosporites type modendron. Male counterparts of Scottocarpon are probably cones of of megaspores. Until now, only anatomically preserved Cappasporites- the genus Lepidostrobus which produced lycospores. bearing cones have been known from coal-balls and described under Three Hemsleycarpon species, both of male and female types and the name Achlamydocarpon Schumacher-Lambry whereas cones pro- one Scottocarpon species have been distinguished in the Late Palaeo- ducing Cystosporites megaspores are known from petrifactions and zoic continental basins of the Czech Republic. These are Hemsleycarpon compressions as well. However, since the correlation of petrifactions and cernuus, H. lanceolatus, H. hofmanii and Scottocarpon majus. compressions is problematic because of different nature of diagnostic Apparent difference between the number of potential parent plant features, new genera were established for the Cappasporites- and Cyst- species and number of Scottocarpon species in the study stratigraphic osporites- bearing lycopsid cone compressions. Cappasporites- and Cyst- level and basins may be related to desintegration of ripened cones into osporites diabolicus-bearing cones are assigned to the genus Hemsley- individual sporophylls which are hardly to be distingusihed on their carpon as male and female counterparts. Parent plants probably belong morphology and spores. Results of the revision will be submitted for to the genera Diaphorodendron and/or Synchysidendron. Cappasporites publication.

101 TAPHONOMY OF THE PLANT ASSEMBLAGE BURIED BY TEPHR A DEPOSITS OF THE WHETSTONE HORIZON, R ADNICE MEMBER BOLSOVIAN IN CENTR AL AND WESTERN BOHEMIA, CZECH REPUBLIC

Stanislav Opluštil1, Josef Pšenička2, Milan Libertín3 and Jana Drábková4 1 Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Museum of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Kopeckého sady 2, Pilsen, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 National Museum, Václavské náměstí 68, 115 79 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The Whetstone Horizon is one of few volcanoclastic beds in the Late highest concentration of plant remains derived from undergrowth or Palaeozoic continental basins of central and western Bohemia, which understorey plants. Locally they are accompanied with canopy to sub- bear rich plant remains. Its petrographic composition, sedimentary canopy litter (e.g. lycopsid leafy shoots and cones or fern pinna). In the texture and architecture as well as spatial distribution and character of remaining part of bělka, i.e. 10–60 cm above the base, fossils are usu- plant fossils were studied to reconstruct genesis of the Whetstone Hori- ally much rare except the vicinity of upright stems where large branch zon and to better understand taphonomical processes of preserved flo- remains from the canopy often occur being nearly circularly distributed ra. The Whetstone Horizon consists of two parts: about 60 cm thick pale around the parent stem. Large, up to several metres long branches are yellow to whitish massive bed (called “bělka” by miners) interpreted as located obliquely to “bedding plane”. Close the upright stems, there is rhyolitic tuff forms the base of the horizon. It sharply overlies the Lower also increased amount of plant remains of understorey and possibly Radnice Coal and is overlain by laminated pale grey mudstones with sig- of climbers or lianas. Plant remains embedded in whetstone consist nificant volcanic admixture called “whetstone”. Its thickness usually var- mostly of small fragments or plant detritus either concentrated into dis- ies between 3 and 10 m. Apparent difference in character of plant fossils crete bedding planes or irregularly scattered. Concentration of remains exists between bělka and whetstone. Bělka bears large plant remains decreases up the whetstone. Near the top, insect, amphibian and fish whereas mostly small fragments (isolated pinnules or small pinna) occur tracefossils occur. Upright stems of various diameters ranging from less in whetstone. Distribution and concentration of plant remains in bělka then 1 cm to more than 1 m being up to 6 m tall are common. Their den- significantly varies both laterally and vertically depending on density sity varies. All of them are rooted in the roof of the Lower Radnice Coal. and structure (habit) of plant cover of the former mire. In general, distri- No roots have been found in bělka and whetstone. bution of plant fossils displays characteristic zonation. At the contact of The character of plant fossils of the Whetstone Horizon indicates that bělka and coal seam, mostly pre-volcanic plant litter occurs. It includes flora preserved in the bělka tuff bed at the base of the horizon was buried cones, branches and large stems as well as pinna fragments. Plants are in situ and therefore provides unique data on structure and composition decomposed to various degrees and are often indeterminable to species of the peat-forming plant assemblages of the Lower Radnice Coal. level. The following basal 2 to 10 cm of tuff bed represents zone with the

REPORT ON REVISION OF MACROFLOR AL RECORD FROM THE LATE PALAEOZOIC CONTINENTAL BASINS OF CENTR AL AND WESTERN BOHEMIA AND FROM THE INTR A SUDETIC BASIN

Stanislav Opluštil1, Josef Pšenička2, Milan Libertín3 and Zbyněk Šimůnek4 1 Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Museum of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Kopeckého sady 2, Pilsen, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 National Museum, Václavské náměstí 68, 115 79 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic, [email protected]

Stratigraphic range and diversity of flora of the late Palaeozoic con- of calamites, lycopsid stems etc. Anomaly high species diversity of the tinental basins in central and western Bohemian and Sudetic areas of Radnice Member (about 150 species) is related especially to an overesti- the Czech Republic is now being revised. Main problem of the revision mation of sphenopterid ferns. of existing lists of flora is the reliability of plant species determination as The revision will serve for a broader comparison of floral diversities well as rare data from units poor in fossils. These are mostly coal-barren and stratigraphic ranges of selected species among basins of the North alluvial red beds. Species diversity is based exclusively on estimation of Variscan Foreland. This comparison is of a crucial importance for bet- a number of biological species. It means that each plant group is char- ter understanding to the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems during the acterised on organs which are easily distinguishable, e.g. leafy shoots Pennsylvanian which is the main topic of the IGCP Project 469.

EARLY CARBONIFEROUS FLOR A OF NORTH RUSSIA THE ARKHANGELSK REGION

Olga A. Orlova Department of Paleontology, Geological Faculty, Moscow State University, Vorobjevi Gory, 119992, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The paleobotanical material from two localities and two bore- Verkhny Gruby Brook) contains about 200 specimens of fossil plant re- holes, collected on the north of the Arkhangelsk Region (East Coast of mains, which come from cherry ferruginous sandstones. Arthrophytes the White Sea), has been studied (Alekseev et al., 2005). The collection dominated among other fossil plant groups, constituting 65 % of the as- basically consists of imprints and casts of arthrophytes, lycopsids, and semblage. They are represented by impressions and casts of stems and seed ferns and, more rarely, their petrifactions. The richest locality (the leaf imprints of one only species – Archaeocalamites radiatus (Br.) Stur.

102 Besides arthrophytes, there are some pteridosperms in the collection. identified (Lepidodendron, Lepidostrobus, and Stigmaria). Apart from Sterile leaf structures are represented by the fragments of fronds of Adi- the above-mentioned localities, some pteridosperm imprints (Adiant- antites antiquus (Ett.) Stur, A. machanekii Stur, A. sp. 1 and A. sp. 2. There ites sp., A. antiquus) were discovered from the borehole EM-6. The other is also a small pinnule imprint of Cardiopteridium. Among fertile struc- borehole (155-5) contains a lot of arthrophyte stem casts and wood re- tures it should be noted that the seed cast of Boroviczia sp. 1 and the mains, which are now under study with a SEM. imprints of isolated synangia and sporangia of Telangiopsis were found. Notably, the majority of the taxa were recognized in this region for As for lycopsids, there were determined Lepidodendron sp. 1, L. veltheimii the first time. No other fossil remains (invertebrates, spores) were found Sternb., L. cf. kidstonii Nath., Lepidofloyos laricinum Sternb., ?Lepidostro- in the localities and bores. Based on the composition of the plant as- bus sp., Knorria acicularis Goepp., and Stigmaria sp. semblages, the beds which include these plant remains are related to In the other locality (the Tovskoe Lake), which is situated in 8 km the Lower Carboniferous (most likely the Upper Visean). It is necessary on the north-west from the first one, more than 100 specimens of fos- to note that the composition of this flora is similar to that of the late sil plants from brown ferruginous sandstones were collected. Arthro- Visean flora of the Moscow Sineclise, in particular, its northwestern part. phytes (Archaeocalamites radiatus) are abundant (over 80 % of the to- However, some characteristic taxa (for example, Stigmaria) are found in tal of the assemblage). Besides their casts and stem imprints, there are the Arkhangelsk region extremely rarely. Nevertheless, it is clear that the also remains of permineralised stems. A few imprints of pteridosperm areas of both the Arkhangelsk region and Moscow Sineclise belonged to pinnae (15 %) were found, belonging to the following taxa: Adiantites, the Euramerian paleophytogeographical realm in the Early Carbonifer- Sphenopteridium, and Lyginorachis. Only four lycopsid imprints were ous.

ON THE PRESERVATION OF THE ANCIENT DNA IN FOSSIL PLANTS

Igor A. Ozerov1, Nadezhda A. Zhinkina1, Edvard M. Machs1, Valentina V. Ukraintseva1 and Aleksandr V. Rodionov1 1 Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia

The molecular-biological investigations of fossil plants require zina, 1960) were employed to prepare the microslides for light micro- a preliminary stage of detection of nucleic acids by means of classical scopic studies. The constant mounts were stained with fuchsin-sulphu- histochemical methods. The most important of these is the Feulgen re- ric acid, hematoxylin, and alcian blue (Kamelina et al., 1992). Fuchsin- action. This classical method of DNA detection is based on the specific sulphuric acid was used for staining the nuclear structures containing staining of desoxyribose after hydrolysis. During the reaction, the tis- chromatin, while both nucleoli and the cytoplasm were unstained. He- sues are treated with the warm HCl that hydrolyses the bond of bases matoxylin and alcian blue were used in our investigation as stains for with the desoxyribose. This results in formation of free aldehyde groups cell walls and the cytoplasm. The staining of fossilised plant tissues has giving with the Schiff’s reagent an acid-proof stain varying in colour shown the preservation of Feulgen-positive, irregularly stained nuclear from red to red-violet (Feulgen and Rossenbeck, 1924). The Schiff’s rea- structures, the сhromocentres having more intensive colouring. This gent usually stains only DNA-containing structures. suggests part of desoxyribose being preserved in the nuclear chroma- The material for the present investigation comprises Lower Eocene tin. The results of our investigation demonstrate visually the nuclear ma- remains of myrtaceous leaves and fruits, as well as plant remains from terial in preparations of the fossil plants that is morphologically similar the gastrointestinal tract of a mammoth, both collected in Yakutia (East to chromocentres of living forms. The nuclei have purple-red colouring Siberia). The purpose of this work was a detection of DNA-containing caused by the presence of desoxyribose remains in the chromatin. structures in the fossil plant cells by means of their Feulgen-staining. The work supported by the grants RFBR # 06-04-48399 and RFBR # Standard procedures for studying the plant anatomical structure (Pro- 05-04-49676.

NATUR AL AND HUMANINFLUENCED HOLOCENE VEGETATION CHANGES IN THE MIDDLE UR ALS AND TR ANSUR ALS RUSSIA BY POLLEN DATA FROM PEATBOGS

Nata K. Panova Botanical Garden, RAS, 32a Bilimbaevsky St., Ekaterinburg, Russia

Region of study is situated in forest zone within 56°–58° N, 59°–64° Е. and sub-local vegetation communities probably could suffer noticeable Vegetation dominates south-taiga pine and birch-and-pine forests with human-made loads, for example due to disturbance of natural soil cov- noticeable admixture of spruce in western by-watershed band. Pollen er in the places where people lived. Thus samples from cultural layers analyses of peat-bog samples revealed the main stages of the Holocene demonstrate increased amounts of pollen identified to the Poaceae and forest vegetation dynamics. Chenopodiaceae families, wormwoods (Artemisia) and other Asteraceae During the late glacial, there prevailed open communities of grass- plants, including such weeds as Arctium, Cirsium, Echinops. Pollen of es and shrubs, combined with insular open woodlands of spruce and plants characteristic of the disturbed habitats, as Chamaenerion, Plan- birches or of spruce and larch. In the early Holocene, pine-and-birch and tago, Urtica, Polygonum aviculare also had been registered. spruce-and-birch forests were registered in the region. The Holocene Influence of ancient population upon forest vegetation became optimum time was marked by spread of mixed deciduous and conif- noticeable about the Bronze Age middle, when metallurgy started to erous forests with admixture of lime, elms, oak, hazel-nut, sometimes develop, turning heavier in the Iron Age, after the start of agriculture. hornbeam. During the Holocene terminal phase, vegetation turned Burning of wood for charcoal used in metal production, cutting and poorer due to loss of the nemoral forms and forests’ composition be- burning of forests for tillage increased the number of forest fires. Signs came similar to their modern state. The revealed trends of vegetation of fires (charcoals) are regularly registered in peat-bog sediments of that general dynamics correspond to climate global changes during the time. After-fire layers demonstrate dominating pollen of birches, green Holocene time, and were determined mainly by natural factors. mosses’ spores, presence of Chamaenerion pollen, being characteristic Analyses of sediments from archaeological sites dated to the Neo- of the burnt plots. The most significant often-irreversible human-made lithic, Eneolithic and early Bronze Age, did not reveal significant human- changes of the forests were marked during the last three centuries, due made effect upon the dynamics of regional vegetation. However local to development of mining industries and intensive exploitation of for-

103 ests in the Urals. These are clearly traced by comparative analyses of birch quota prevalence in peat-bog upper layers, especially near the peat-bog pollen curves obtained from the reserved territories and ad- settlements. Pollen spectra of the Holocene terminal indicate that the jacent urbanised regions within the same natural conditions. Thus, pol- Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica) turned wide-spread in elevated forests of len curves from the Visim reserve (57°30’ N, 59°45’ Е) occupied by native the Urals. However, proportions of the species pollen show abrupt fall dark-coniferous forests, for the Holocene last period show an obvious during the latest time, surely due to human activities, as these trees are increase of spruce and abies percentilles, whereas those from beyond extensively cut off for the valuable wood, and besides they suffer too the reserve boundary demonstrate reduction of conifers pollen, with hard from forest fires.

PALAEOETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES OF THE NORTHERN PONTOS.

Galina Pashkevich Institute Archaeologii NAN, ul. Geroev Stalingrada, 12, 04655, Kiev-210, Ukraine, e-mail: [email protected]

Beginning with the Neolithic hulled wheats played the basic role the great similarity to the assortment as in Chersonessos and Bosporan in the economy of various tribes of Ukraine. Palaeoethnobotanical in- region. Hence, colonists utilised plant assortment that well known to vestigation demonstrates that with arrival of the Greek colonists on the them, instead of borrowing from the neighbouring local tribes. Hordeum Northern coast of the Black Sea naked wheats appear as one of the basic vulgare, Panicum miliaceum and also hulled wheats had the advantage cereals. The results of research have anabled a reconstruction of the as- in the early Scythians economy of 5th–4th centuries BC. These cereals sortment of plants, that were utilised by the Greek colonists. This assort- were corresponded with the needs of semi-nomadic style of life. The ment consisted of Triticum aestivum s.l., Hordeum vulgare and legumes composition of plants used by the tribes of Cherniakhovskaja culture, Pisum sativum, Lens culinaris, Vicia ervilia, Lathyrus sativus and Vicia faba. which was widely disseminated in the Steppe area of the Ukraine and Hulled wheats Triticum dicoccon, Triticum monococcum, Triticum spelta Moldova in the 3rd–4th centuries AD, was more varied. It has been estab- and Panicum miliaceum, Secale cereale and Hordeum vulgare var. coeleste lished that hulled barley prevailed in the steppe palaeoethnobotanical were also present, although in less significant quantities. Cultivation of complex of the Cherniakhovskaja culture, whereby emmer had greater grapes Vitis vinifera began in the first centuries AD. According to writ- importance and the known culture was rye. Naked wheats are noted in ten sources and insufficient palaeoethnobotanical data, it is known that small quantities. These differences are certanly related to a diverse form vegetable and garden cultures were part of the economy to. Finds of of economic activity. Thus, in the Early Iron Age, at the northern Black figs, peaches, and nuts, which were originally brought from Greece, Sea coast existed human communities which differed in their economy show that fruits held a certain importance in the diet. This list shows despite living in similar natural conditions.

LOWER CRETACEOUS PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHY OF NORTHERN REGIONS OF WESTERN AND MIDDLE SIBERIA

Ekaterina B. Pestchevitskaya Institute of Petroleum Geology, Siberian Branch of RAS, Koptyug av. 3, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The detailed palynological analysis of the sections from the wells providing long distance correlation: their first/last occurrence recorded and outcrops of northern Siberian regions provided the basis for the de- at the specific stratigraphic levels in the Boreal regions of Siberia, Eu- velopment of the stratigraphic schemes based on dinocyst and spore- rope and Canada. pollen data. The stratigraphical position of palynological zones is con- Spore-pollen zones: Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis, Trilobosoprites trolled by macro- and microfauna data. valanjinensis, Cicatricosisporites ludbrookiae, C. subrotundus, upper part Dinocyst zones: Pareodinioidea, Batioladinium varigranosum, Cas- of Berriasian – lowermost part of Valanginian; Roisesporites spp., Cicatri- siculasphaeridia reticulata, Berriasian (from the base of ammonite zone cosisporites minutaestriatus, Pilosisporites spp., Ornamentifera granulatа, н analogus) – lowermost part of Valanginian (lower part of klimovskiensis); Lower Valanginian, upper part of klimovskiensis – lower part of quadrifidus; Escharisphaeridia spp., Oligosphaeridium spp., Circulodinium spp., Lower Cicatricosisporites australiensis, C. dorogensis, Foraminisporis dailyi, upper Valanginian, upper part of klimovskiensis – lower part of quadrifidus; Oli- part of quadrifidus – the middle of subzone beani; Appendicisporites spp., gosphaeridium complex, Dingodinium cerviculum, middle part of Lower Trilobosporites purverulentus, T. uralensis, upper part of Lower Valanginian Valanginian, upper part of quadrifidus – the middle of subzone ramu- – lower part of Upper Valanginian; Ruffordia goepperti, Aequitriradites spp., licosta; Aldorfia sibirica, Aprobolocysta galeata, upper part of Lower Val- Ornamentifera spp., O. echinata, upper part of Upper Valanginian – lower anginian, the middle of ramulicosta – the middle of subzone beani; Hys- part of Lower Haterivian; Cicatricosisporites tersus, Foraminisporis spp., trichodinium solare, Muderongia spp., Lower Haterivian, ammonite zone Taxodiaceaepollenites spp., upper part of Lower Haterivian – lowermost bojarkensis; Aptea anaphrissa, Oligosphaeridium aff. totum, Batioladinium part of Upper Haterivian; Pilosisporites notensis, Pilosisporites echinaceus, longicornutum, upper part of Lower Haterivian; Aprobolocysta eilema, Upper Haterivian; Pilosisporites hirsutus, Lygodium longipilosum, Rouseis- A. neista, Odontochitina spp., lower part of Upper Haterivian; Canningia porites laevigatus, R. radiatus, lower part of Lower Barremian. spp., Nelchinopsis kostromiensis, lower part of Lower Barremian. Micro- The investigations have been carried out with the financial support phytoplankton assemblages include a wide number of dinocyst species of RFBR N 03-05-64391.

104 FROM AGATHOXYLON TO ZONALOXYLON, THE DIVERSIFICATION OF MESOZOIC WOODS

Marc Philippe1 and Melise Harland2 1University Lyon 1 and UMR5125 of the CNRS, Villeurbanne, 69622, France, e-mail: [email protected] 2University of Leeds School of Earth Sciences, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

The potential of the fossil wood record to contribute to the under- of woods with abietinean pitting of ray cell walls, in the high latitudes standing of plant evolution has often been underestimated. Our study of both hemispheres. Simultaneously taxodiaceous-like woods became of the Mesozoic fossil wood record, focusing on diversity and biogeog- abundant and diversified. The next major step in wood diversification raphy, demonstrates that the study of this widespread fossil is a valuable took place during the Aptian, when homoxylous woods appeared in the way to look at plant evolution. record. Just as for flowers, wood diversity increased explosively during Whatever the impact of the Permo-Triassic crisis on terrestrial bio- the Aptian-Cenomanian interval, and continued diversifying rapidly cenoenosis was, Early Triassic wood floras were uniform and quite simi- during the whole of the Late Cretaceous. On the other hand, after the lar to Late Permian ones. Araucarian type radial pitting and cross-fields Aptian homoxylous wood diversity decreased and no new structures were highly predominant, and differences between taxa are mainly were developed. Albeit atactosteles are known by some Early Creta- quantitative. Later, by the Late Triassic, wood diversity increased, espe- ceous fossils of dubious affinities, monocot stipes are encountered from cially at high latitudes. During the Jurassic and Cretaceous diversity kept only the Late Cretaceous upwards. increasing, with major turn-overs by the Aalenian, the Portlandian and Despite difficulty relating isolated xylem pieces to known botanical the Aptian. Wood type distribution became more restricted, and lati- taxa, even at relatively high taxonomic level, the study of wood diversity tudinal zones can be distinguished on the basis of wood assemblages. geographical patterns and evolution is undoubtedly of interest. Wood By the end of the Liassic almost all extant types of cross-fields are rep- should not be looked at as a bundle of pipes only, and the anatomical resented, and during the Middle Jurassic the first appearance of wood devices set up by plants to ensure the delivery of rising sap to leaves taxa with abietinean type of radial pitting occurred. The Jurassic-Cre- may have played an important role in the success of some groups. This taceous transition is marked by the appearance and rapid proliferation is particularly evident by the Angiosperms.

FLORISTIC CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PALEOCENEEOCENE TR ANSITION IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA AND THEIR EUROPEAN CONNECTIONS

Kathleen B. Pigg1, Steven R. Manchester 2 and Melanie L. DeVore3 1School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, PO Box 874501, Tempe AZ 85287-4501, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 2Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 3Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, 135 Herty Hall, Milledgeville, GA 31062-0001, USA

In this presentation we focus on the distribution of plants that oc- in the Eocene; Nordenskioldia which persists into the middle Miocene in cupied the Paleogene landscape, and their individual patterns of ex- Idaho; Davidia-like leaves and fruits at Republic). The initial appearance tinction and radiation across the Paleocene/Eocene boundary in the of still other genera coincides with the boundary (e.g., Platycarya fruits, broad sense. We are using the Almont and Beicegel Creek Lagerstätten although associated leaves are known in the Paleocene). floras of North Dakota, USA to better interpret the taxonomic affinities Similarities of these North American floras with European forms in- of Paleogene plants. Taxa from these diverse, anatomically preserved clude: assemblages can be compared to morphologically similar compression 1. with the London Clay: Paleoactaea (Ranunculaceae; although differ- forms that lack internal structure, in order to better understand the af- ent species), Icacinaceae and Menispermaceae (rare at Almont), and finities of represented forms. mastixioid cornaleans of the same section but probably different Several patterns of stratigraphic distribution are evident. Relatively genera. few genera apparently become extinct right at the Paleocene-Eocene 2. An Ampelocissus (Vitaceae) seed from Almont is similar to ones boundary. Several genera continue into the Early Eocene where they known from Messel. are represented by different species (e.g., Cyclocarya in Colorado differs 3. Samaras assigned to Deviacer, now known from the Lower Eocene from the Almont species). Still other primarily Paleocene genera ap- of Denmark, demonstrating the presence of this fruit type in Europe pear to become extinct in central North America and the Rockies at the as well as western North America. Together these examples demon- boundary, yet persist into the middle Eocene in the northwestern floras strate that there is complexity to the patterns of distribution across of the Okanogan Highlands (e.g., Palaeocarpinus, also in Far East Russia both the boundary and „the pond“.

ISOPOLLEN MAPS FOR THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Petr Pokorný1, Dorota Nalepka2 and Adam Walanus3 1 Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Latenská 4, CZ 11801, Prague, Czech Republic 2 W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, 31-512 Krakow, Poland, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Po- land Having about fifty sites attributed with some numerical data and graphical form of areas representing similar pollen percentage, is much distributed more or less uniformly over the country, it is worth to draw better than simply giving numbers on the map. isopollen map of the region. Visualization of past pollen distribution Pollen data for the Czech Republic were extracted from total 67 (which reflects the given plant distribution), with use of the typical published and original pollen diagrams. As the diagrams lack radiocar-

105 bon dates in many cases, biostratigraphic zonation using strictly defined betulus, Corylus avellana, Fagus, Picea, Cerealia, the sum of Quercus, Ul- criteria was made first. Than, average percentage values were calculated mus, Tilia, and Fraxinus excelsior, and the sum of NAP taxa. As a result, the for each taxon (or ecological group of taxa) within the respective bios- total number of 6 × 8 = 48 maps will be presented. tratigraphical zone. Maps will be presented for the following periods of Maps are plotted using the dedicated palynological software POL- the Holocene: Preboreal, Boreal, Atlantic, Subboreal, Older Subatlantic, PAL (Ralska-Jasiewiczowa et al. eds, 2004). and Younger Subatlantic. The pollen taxa given are: Abies alba, Carpinus

INCIPIENT HETEROSPORY IN A LATE CRETACEOUS FERN FROM THE AMUR REGION, FAR EAST

Svetlana Polevova1, Valentin Krassilov2, 3 and Eugenia Bugdaeva4 1 Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mt Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel 3 Paleontological Institute, Moscow, 117647, Russia; e-mail: [email protected] 4 Institute of Biology and Soil Science, Vladivostok 680022, Russia; e-mail: [email protected]

Explosive radiation of aquatic ferns is one of the most prominent in diameter, spherical, with a loosely folded reticulate exospore, which events of plant evolution in the Cretaceous. It is generally assumed that is coarsely striate and ornamented with slender surface appendages. heterosporous aquatic ferns descended from homosporous terrestrial The inner body (mesospore) is easily detachable and is often preserved ancestors. However, no transitional forms have been found so far. We separately, showing a distinct Y-mark. Spores of the third size category report on a recently discovered incipiently heterosporous fern from the are of the same structure as the previous type, but twice larger, about Late Cretaceous of Kundur, the Amur Region, Russian Far East. The Kun- 110 µm in diameter. These latter were found released from sporangia dur section contains a well-known dinosaur locality of Maastrichtian evidently representing the mature stage of the incipient megaspores. age. The fossil plant-bearing horizon is situated below the dinosaur bed It is suggested that the megaspores were expanded just before their and is dated palynologically as the Campanian. The plant assemblage dispersal. consists of riparian angiosperms and conifers and includes a number of Among the aquatic ferns, Heroleandra Krassilov and Golovneva had aquatic forms, such as Salvinia, Quereuxia and Limnobiophyllum. The new micro- and megaspores produced in one and the same sporangium. fern (new genus) might have been a member of this aquatic community. Yet in this genus the micro- and megaspores were markedly different It is represented by fragments of slender bipinnate fronds with flabel- in their morphology representing an advanced stage of heterospory. In late pinnules showing dichotomous digitate venation. Numerous spo- our case, the spores of two size categories are of the same trilete type, rangia are crowded in dense masses on the surface of fertile pinnules. though differing in the pattern of surface reticulum. Moreover, the in- There is no convincing evidence of indusia or sporocarps. The sporangia cipient megaspores are much smaller than typical fern megaspores are minute, spheroid, lacking a distinct annulus. They contain spores during developmet, approaching the megaspore size class just before of three dimensional categories. The smaller spores, considered as mi- dispersal. We suggest that heterospory in this fern might have appeared crospores, are about 23 µm in diameter, with a thick coarsely reticulate through underdevelopment in one part of the initially homosporous sporoderm on the distal face, decreasing in thickness over the contact sporangial content, while the other part was developed to an average area. The leasurae of the trilete mark are sinuous, distinctly bordered. homosporous size class at separation from tetrads and then rapidly ex- The larger spores, considered as incipient megaspores, are 50–60 µm panded before dispersal.

FOSSIL WOOD OUTCROPS OF THE MIOCENE FROM WESTERN PERUVIAN AMAZONIA AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION

Denise Pons1 and Dario De Franceschi2 1 Paléobiodiversité et Paléoenvironnements, UMR 5143 CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6), 12 rue Cuvier, 75 005 Paris Laboratoire Paléobotanique et Paléoecologie, 12 rue Cuvier 75005 Paris, France 2 Département Histoire de la Terre, UMR 5143 CNRS, MNHN, CP38, 8 rue Buffon 75005 Paris, France

The history of the flora dynamic in the Western Amazonian basin is The discovered fossil woods appeared as branch fragments or entire still controversial. This basin is the largest one worldwide and shelters tree trunks (Iquitos) carried by the stream, as presently seen in the Ama- the world widest tropical forest, which also shows the highest biodiver- zon, especially after the rainy season. sity. According to authors, different theories concerning the installa- In the Iquitos region, the fossil pieces of wood are found as lignite, tion conditions of this modern forest have been proposed. The present more or less compressed by the sediment weight and/or silicified. In biodiversity is seen either as remains of the Neogene forest, or as being the Attalaya region, silicified wood samples are numerous and well pre- recently established after the latest geological structuring of the basin. served, but often reworked. The lignite specimens are also numerous We take part in a multidisciplinary project on the evolution of this basin and in place, but their anatomy is generally badly preserved because in order to solve this question. they show a partial vitrainization. Despite some palynological results, the paleobotany of the West- Some samples from the Iquitos region have already been studied. ern Peruvian Amazonia is still poorly known. We explored the Iquitos Among them, some can be reported to genera of different families, and Attalaya regions. From the eroded sediments of the banks of the which are present in the extant flora from South America, such as Ca- Amazon and its tributaries, we collected numerous fossil wood samples lophyllum aff. brasiliense (Clusiaceae), Copaifera aff. officinalis (Caes- dated from Middle Miocene to Pliocene. Sediments were produced dur- alpiniaceae), Ducia (Fabaceae), Humiria (Humiriaceae), Tabebuia spp. ing the Andes uplift; the rivers network carried out and left sand, clay (Bignoniaceae), Terminalia / Buchenania (Combretaceae), and an in- and plant structures as well as dead animals in the Amazonian basin. determined Lecythidaceae. These taxa are found in rain forests. In the

106 structure of the observed wood samples, the growth rings are absent The fossil wood samples from the other locality are under study, and or very slighly marked. This is a characteristic feature of low-elevation this survey will provide completely new information about evolution of rain forests. the past Amazonian basin vegetation and paleoenvironment.

TAPHONOMICAL VALIDATION OF WOOD AS A PROXY FOR PALAEOECOLOGICAL RECONSTRUCTION

Imogen Poole1, 2, Miles Silman3 and Pim van Bergen1, 4 1 Organic Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht, Utrecht University, PO BOX 80021, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands 2 Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, PO Box 80021, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands 3 Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Box 7325 Reynolda Station, Winston Salem, NC 27109-7325, USA 4 Current address: Shell Global Solutions, PO Box 38000, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Accurate palaeoecological reconstructions rely on a faithful rela- much less source, transport and preservation bias. Here we shall present tionship between material preserved and the environments they rep- findings from a pilot study and outline future research strategy focusing resent. Unfortunately fossil floras have been subjected to taphonomi- on tropical wood flora aiming to determine (i) the relationship between cal processes leaving interpretations intrinsically biased. To date these taxonomic composition of the living forest and (potential) fossil floras, biases have been relatively unexplored, especially with regard to fossil (ii) the differential preservation probabilities of modern taxa and (iii) the wood. Problems are particularly acute in tropical systems where there is faithfulness of reproducing past communities based on the relatively very little understanding of species compositions of modern ecologies, coarse taxonomic resolution associated with fossil wood identification.

EARLY JUR ASSIC PALEOECOLOGY AND PHYTOSTR ATIGR APHY IN THE SOUTH CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA

Mihai E. Popa University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, Laboratory of Palaeontology, Bucharest, 010041, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

The Lower Jurassic continental deposits of Romania belong to sev- dominated by filicopsids (e.g. Cladophlebis denticulata), cycadeoids (e.g. eral significant basins, mainly confined to the South Carpathians, such Zamites schmiedelii) and ginkgopsids (Ginkgoites div. sp., Sphenobaiera as the Resita, Sirinia, Presacina and Cerna-Jiu basins. The age of the div. sp.). The levees were occupied by cycadeoids, cycads and filicopsids. continental formations of these basins spans the Hettangian-Sinemu- Upland floras were less documented, represented by few conifer taxa. rian interval, the Rhaetian age being not confirmed on paleontological Paralic environments were including associations with pteridosperms grounds. In these basins, several localities with plant fossils are particu- (Pachypteris speciosa), and conifers (Brachyphyllum expansum), docu- larly significant for ideal collecting, while correlating the plants with the mented in the Holbav basin. sedimentological and stratigraphic data, such localities being Anina, Coal generators were mainly represented by sphenopsids, Schizone- a possible fossile-Lagerstatte locality, Holbav and Schela. The Early ura carcinoides being the most active producer. To them are added cy- Jurassic flora is represented by bryophytes, pteridophytes (lycopsids, cadeoids (Zamites div. sp.), ginkgopsids (Ginkgoites div. sp.), and filicops- sphenopsids, filicopsids) and gymnosperms (pteridosperms, cycadop- ids (Cladophlebis denticulata). These producers, although not associated sids, ginkgopsids, and conifers), highly diverse and well preserved, both with marsh environments, had a secondary role in the coal genesis, as as compressions, and as permineralisations. opportunistic dwellers in the last phases of the swamp evolution, as The plant assemblages related to depositional environments were they are always recorded in the roof of the coal seams. recorded in natural outcrops, open cast mines or in underground mines, A climate change, from colder to warmer, more humid conditions especially in Anina, the most important Jurassic plant locality in Roma- in the area of the South Carpathian basins was recorded at the Hettang- nia. The swamp dwellers are dominated by the sphenopsid Schizoneura ian-Sinemurian boundary, where a flora change is recorded. The assem- carcinoides, while plants occupying the marsh edges include conifers blage Zone with Thaumatopteris brauniana, indicating the Sinemurian, (e.g. Podozamites paucinervis), pteridosperms (e.g. Pachypteris speciosa) is replaced by the acme Zone with Nilssonia cf. orientalis, indicating the and sphenopsids (e.g. Equisetum div. sp.). Flood plain areas were usually Sinemurian.

PALEOECOLOGY OF LATE CARBONIFEROUS PLANTS IN THE SOUTH CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA

Mihai E. Popa University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, Laboratory of Palaeontology, Bucharest, 010041, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

The Upper Palaeozoic continental formations in the South Carpathi- eral review of the floras is given, related to various ecological conditions ans host rich and well preserved floras, Late Carboniferous-Early Per- and depositional environments. Stratigraphical and paleogeographical mian in age. Occurring in a series of intramontane basins such as Resita, aspects are approached, while connections between tectonical events Sirinia and Presacina basins, the Late Carboniferous floras of the South and biotic changes recorded in the South Carpathians during Late Car- Carpathians were less approached from a paleoecological view. A gen- bonifeorus times is discussed as well.

107 LATE SILURIAN FLOR A FROM THE HOLY CROSS MOUNTAINS, CENTR AL POLAND

Anna Popławska-Raszewska Institute of Geology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Maków Polnych 16, 61-606 Poznań, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

Late Silurian plant fossils have been found in the Holy Cross Moun- a specimen showing morphological features typical of the genus Cook- tains in the northern part of this region treated as late Silurian conti- sonia. This fossil is characterized by dichotomous branching of naked nental margin of Baltica. They occur in shallow, marine, terrigenous axes and is terminated by sporangium. There are also Cooksonia-like sediments. Trilobites and ostracodes provide evidence of Ludlow/Prido- specimens and some problematical forms. This occurrence is probably lian age of these deposits. Fossil plants are preserved as coalified com- the oldest land plants find in Poland. pressions and impressions. Among the plant detritus there was found

SEED PLANTS FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC OF LUNZ AUSTRIA: A REVISION BASED ON CUTICULAR ANALYSIS

Christian Pott1, Hans Kerp1 and Michael Krings2 1 Palaeobotany Research Group, University Muenster, Hindenburgplatz 57, D-48143, Muenster, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Richard-Wagner-Straße 10, 80333, München, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Lunz is the most famous and most important Triassic fossil plant in 2004 that is concentrating on seed plants from Lunz based on both locality in the Alps. Based on marine invertebrates occurring in strata macromorphology and epidermal anatomy. Our extensive data set in- directly under- and overlying the “Lunzer Sandstein”, the flora was dat- dicates that the majority of morphotaxa established by STUR and KRASSER ed as Carnian. One of the remarkable features of this flora is the abun- in the late 19th and early 20th century have to be revised. Data on the dance of compressed cycadophyte (i.e. Cycadales and Bennettitales) epidermal anatomy of the individual taxa also provide a basis for recon- reproductive structures. While several studies focus on these fertile structing whole-plant taxa by correlating reproductive structures with cycadophyte remains, the abundant excellently preserved specimens sterile foliage. Moreover, information on the epidermal anatomy con- of cycadophyte, ?ginkgophyte, and conifer foliage have not received tributes to a better understanding of the paleobiology of early Meso- much scholarly attention to date. Because these foliage fossils often zoic gymnosperms and the paleoecological characterization of the Lunz yield excellently preserved cuticles, we have started a research project paleoecosystem.

BIODIVERSITY IN UPPER GONDWANA DEPOSITS OF JABALPUR FORMATION, SATPUR A BASIN M.P. INDIA

Neeru Prakash Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53-University Road, Lucknow, India, e-mail: [email protected]

The Jabalpur Formation of the Jabalpur Series, named after the city Araucarites spp., Allocladus spp, Moranocladus, Satpuria, Desmiophyllum, of Abalpur in Central India, is exposed along the Armada River in the Strobillites and Coniferocaulon spp.). The highest diversity of the floral Satpura Basin. This series is divided into the Lower Chaugan and Upper assemblage is recorded in the central portion of the basin (Sehora and Jabalpur beds. The Jabalpur beds occur between the Mahadevas and Hasnapur) while the lowest diversity is recorded in the Morand River, Lametas at Mahadeva hills, exhibit highest Gondwana strata, and em- Parsapani and Tilaksindoor areas. The diversity in the palaeofloral as- body significant and diversified flora documented from different locali- semblage indicates the dominance of conifers and pteridophytes along ties of the Satpura Basin. The lateral extension of this bed has also been with cycadophytes and certain pteridosperms. The palynofloral assem- exposed at Bairam and Belkher area in the western part of Central India. blage recorded from this formation exhibits pollen and spores of bryo- The floristic analysis allows the recognition of different plants group phytic, pteridophytic and gymnospermic groups. Therefore, an attempt e.g. pteridophytes (Equisetites, Todites, Gleichenites, Hausmannia, Ony- has been made for biostratigraphic correlation and phytogeographic chiopsis, Matonidium, Phlebopteris, Cladophlebis and Sphenopteris); pteri- distribution of the Jabalpur flora with various coeval floras of the Indian dosperm (Pachypteris);cycads (Ctenis, Doratophyllum and Taeniopteris); peninsula along with contemporaneous deposits of other Gondwanic bennettitales (Pterophyllum spp., Ptilophyllum spp., Dictyozamites spp., countries. The palaeoecologic conditions suggest that the flora was Weltrichia, Williamsonia, Anomozamites and Cycadolepis) along with thriving as mixed vegetation during Early Cretaceous under subtropical coniferales (Elatocladus spp,. Pagiophyllum spp., Brachyphyllum spp., – tropical conditions.

108 OVULATE STRUCTURE EARLY ORIGIN AND DIVERSIFICATION: DID SOMETHING HAPPEN DURING THE GIVETIAN?

Cyrille Prestianni1, Frédéric de Ville de Goyet1, Pierre Breuer1, Philippe Steemans1 and Philippe Gerrienne1 1 Université de Liège, unité PPM, B18, Liège, 4000, Belgium, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Many ovulate structures are now known from Late Devonian depos- before the middle Famennian. This diversity also rises the question of its. All of them share the hydrasperman syndrome, a modification of the the time of seed plant origination. nucellar apex into a pollen chamber containing a parenchymatous cen- Recent information collected from mid-late Givetian deposits tral column and surmounted by a funnel-like structure, the salpinx. Early indicates a rapid and geographically widespread rise of innovations ovulate structures can be divided in 5 main groups on the basis of the in heterosporous reproductive structures at that time. The “seed- morphology of their integuments and cupules (Moresnetia-type, Con- megaspores” of uncertain affinities Spermasporites allenii and Granditet- drusia-type, Aglosperma-type, Dorinnotheca-type and Warsteinia-type). rasporites zharkovae have been recovered from Greenland and Russia. This diversity, unsuspected 20 years ago, changes completely our views In Belgium, a probable early representative of the seed plant lineage, of the early evolution of seed plants. Runcaria heinzelinii, has been described. More recently, we have discov- We have recently collected several early seed plants from the mid- ered in Lybia and Belgium, a highly diversified population of very large Famennian locality of Strud (Belgium). The co-occurrence of Moresnetia megaspores (up to 1600 µm), some of probable lycopsid affinities. (segmented cupule, dissected terete integument), Condrusia (bilateral, This suggests that conditions prevailaing in the mid-late Givetian flat cupule, integument complete) and Pseudosporogonites (diminutive have been favorable to the concomittant rise of several types of het- cup-like cupule, flat lobed integument) in this locality, the oldest known erosporous reproductive strategies in several independent lineages, to provide seeds, documents an important range of morphological vari- among which the one leading to the seed plants. ations and suggests that the first radiation of early seed plants occured

EVIDENCE OF PLANTARTHROPOD INTER ACTIONS FROM THE LOWER MIOCENE OF THE BÍLINA MINE IN NORTHERN BOHEMIA CZECH REPUBLIC

Jakub Prokop Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44, Praha 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The fossil record of the Lagerstätte Bílina Mine of the Most Basin sit- from the active mine collected during past two decades. About 22 % uated in northern Bohemia represents a unique view into the Neogene of specimens were found damaged by arthropod activities. Traces were freshwater ecosystems. The stratigraphical attribution of this locality is generally classified into the five main categories, such as marginal feed- to the Most Formation of the Lower Miocene (Eggenburgian/Ottnagi- ing, non-marginal feeding, skeletal feeding, galling and mining. The an). The fossils are preserved in three characteristic horizons overlaying marginal and non-marginal leaves feeding (16 %) and galling (5 %) are the coal-seam (Clayey Superseam Horizon, Delta Sandy Horizon, Lake the most abundant plant-arthropod traces encountered. Plant host taxa Clayey Horizon) reflecting palaeoenvironmental changes in short time as Populus heerii, Alnus julianiformis and Fraxinus bilinica were the most period of development. This locality was object of the study by number frequently damaged on leaves by arthropod interactions. of scientists working in different branches of paleobotany and paleozo- Presence of many other types of the leaves damages were due to ology. Until now, only a few works refer to ichnology herein e.g., wood taphonomy as selective decay resistance or post-depositional condi- borings produced by beetle larvae feeding activities described from the tions. Other structures caused by fungi, plant diseases etc. occasionally Bílina mine. reminiscent of arthropod traces must be carefully recognized and fil- Compressed fossils of plants and insects have been traditionally tered out. Preliminary results illustrate general diversity of interactions studied at this locality separately in respects of taxonomy, palaeoecol- without searching for a specific direct causer of a particular damage by ogy, palaeogeography etc. Now the presence of leaf-arthropod interac- comparison to recent interaction analogy. This will be object of further tions such as various feeding traces on foliage, galls, mines are currently investigations. observed. Evidence of the other types of plant-arthropod interactions The research was financially supported by the grant projects of the recorded here as e.g., caddish flies (Trichoptera) cases will be studied Czech Republic (GAČR Nos. 205/04/0099, 205/03/D151) and the Ministry in the future. The examined material belongs to the collection of the of Schools MSM 0021620828. Doly Bílina mine enterprise counting about 1 400 plant leaf specimens

TAPHONOMY AND CHAR ACTERISTIC OF CORYNEPTERIS ANGUSTISSIMA STERNBERG NĚMEJC FROM VOLCANIC ASH OF THE WHETSTONE HORIZON BOLSOVIAN IN CENTR AL AND WESTERN BOHEMIA, CZECH REPUBLIC

Josef Pšenička Department of Palaeontology, West Bohemian Museum in Pilsen, Kopeckého sady 2, 301 36 Pilsen, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The fern Corynepteris angustissima (Sternberg) Němejc was estab- very poorly preserved and it is impossible to compare the Sternberg´s lished by Sternbegr 1825 as Pecopteris angustissima Sternberg. Later, type specimen with other specimens. Galtier and Scott (1979) accepted Němejc (1938) ascribed the species Pecopteris angustissima to the ge- Ettingshausen’s (1854) species Corynepteris (Asplenites) sternbergii (Et- nus Corynepteris Baily. Galtier and Scott (1979) discussed this species in tingshausen) Baily. Nevertheless, the Ettingshausen‘s type specimen of their work. They stated that the holotype of Corynepteris angustissima is Corynepteris (Asplenites) sternbergii comes from the same locality (Svinná;

109 Radnice Basin) and stratigraphical position (Whetstone Horizon) as the organs. They exhibit no preferential orientation and phylophors of some Sternberg’s holotype of Corynepteris angustissima. It seems probable that of plants were found in upright position. Remains of Corynepteris angustis- both Ettingshausen’s and Sternberg’s specimens are identical to Corynept- sima are generally more abundant in lower part of the tuff bed. Remains eris angustissima. A large number of new and well-preserved specimens of Corynepteris angustissima in tuffit (above the tuff at the base of the of Corynepteris angustissima were found during last three years at the lo- Whetstone Horizon) are rare and fragmentary and show marks of trans- cality Ovčín (Radnice Basin). All the specimens come from the same strati- port. Corynepteris angustissima is associated with Artisia, Cordaites leaflets, graphical horizon as Ettingshausen‘s and Sternberg‘s specimens. These Euspehopteris nummularia and many small not-identifiable rachises. The new findings are preserved in about 50 cm thick tuff bed at the base of pinnules of Corynepteris angustissima were probably strong so that they the Whetstone Horizon in the roof of the Lower Radnice Coal Seam as well could withstand transportation. Corynepteris angustissima belongs to the as in re-worked volcanic ash (tuffite part of the Whetstone Horizon) above most common elements of original phytocoenoses which dominated un- it. However, the mode of preservation between these two parts of the derstorey together with small sphenophyte species Sphenophyllum majus Whetstone Horizon differs. Those findings from the tuff at the base of the Bronn (sphenophyta). horizon represent in situ preserved large parts of fronds including fertile This research is supported by GAČR (project No. 205/05/0105).

CARBONIFEROUS FERNS FROM THE BOLSOVIAN, KLADNO FORMATION, CZECH REPUBLIC

Josef Pšenička1 and Jiří Bek 2 1 Department of Palaeontology, West Bohemian Museum in Pilsen, Kopeckého sady 2, 301 36 Pilsen, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 135, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic e-mail: [email protected]

We present results of the study in ferns that come from a bed of that represents a member of the family Botryopteridaceae – the genus Bolsovian age. Bolsovian beds are represented by the Radnice Member, Sonapteris Pšenička et.al (S. barthelii Pšenička et.al., S. pilsensis Pšenička Kladno Formation. The Bolsovian in the Czech Republic is characterised et.al. and S. bekii pšenička). by a great species diversity of ferns. The specimens studied come from The relatively modern ferns are represented by several genera. One of several localities from the Kladno-Rakovník, Pilsen and Radnice basins. them is Oligocarpia lindsaeoides that is relatively common in the Radnice The ferns occur as trees, lianas or climbing plants as well as herbaceous Basin. Discopteris ketnerii Pšenička and D. doubravensis Pšenička show pro- plants. gressive feature – a primitive indusium. Both species occur in the Pilsen Pecopterids are represented by one species of the Pecopteris milto- Basin only. Zeilleria Kidston represents a very interesting Carboniferous nii-group (Pecopteris aspidioides Sterngerg) and one species of the P. ar- fern. We recognise Z. frenzlii Stur and new species Z. zodrowii Pšenička. The borescent-group (P. tuffitica Pšenička). Both species represent arbores- reproductive organs of Z. zodrowii cannot be compared with reproduc- cent type of ferns. P. aspidioides is a very common species. The second tive organs of other ferns (both living and extinct). Senftenbergia plumosa species P. tuffitica is known only from the locality Doubrava. Both spe- (Artis) Stur is a common climbing fern coming at all localities. Other inter- cies are members of marattialean ferns that belong to relatively primi- esting ferns are Dendraena pinnatilobata Němejc and Kidstonia heracleen- tive ferns (eusporangiate ferns). The occurrence of Pecopteris (Lobatop- sis Zeiller that come only from the locality Štilec (Tlustice Relict). Details teris) miltonii Artis in the Czech Carboniferous Basins is problematic. of features of both species from this locality are still relatively unknown, Corynepteris angustissima (Sternberg) Němejc is a very common especially reproductive organs, because the specimens are not well pre- fern species which occurs mainly in the tuff of the Whetstone Hori- served. Němejc (1963) described from the tuff Brittsia problematica D. zon. Besides, the genus Corynepteris is represented by another specie Whitte. Nevertheless, the specimen is very poorly preserved. C. essinhi (Andrae) Zeiller. Corynepteris belongs to the zygopterid type This project is supported by GAČR (project No. 205/05/0105) and of ferns. The tuff layer of Whetstone Horizon brings an interesting fern IGSP Project 469.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS AND ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES OF ZEILLERIA ZODROVII SP. NOV. FROM THE LATE PENNSYLVANIAN OF THE PILSEN BASIN, CZECH REPUBLIC

Josef Pšenička1, Jiří Bek2 and Ronny Rößler3 1 Department of Palaeontology, West Bohemian Museum in Pilsen, Kopeckého sady 2, 301 36 Pilsen, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 135, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic e-mail: [email protected] 3Museum für Naturkunde, Theaterplatz 1, D-09111 Chemnitz, Germany

A new anatomically preserved fertile specimen of Z. zodrovii sp. The longitudinal section exhibits details of both vascular and sur- nov. comes from the volcanogenic Whetstone horizon of the Pilsen Ba- rounding cortical tissues. The xylem bundle is massive but relatively sin (Carboniferous, Bolsovian), Czech Republic. One of the most strik- small reaching up to 2 mm in diameter. Due to incomplete preserva- ing characters of the specimen is its fine preservation, which allows the tion it was not possible to recognize the original shape of the vascular study of both frond morphology and anatomical characters. Superfi- strand. Metaxylem tracheids measure 60 to 200 µm in diameter and up cially very close similar to a compression, this material is nearly uncom- to 4.0 mm in length. They predominantly show simple scalariform wall pressed and three-dimensionally preserved in fine-grained yellowish- thickenings; pitting is of the scalariform type. Sometimes there seems white pyroclastics. Low coalification has enabled the use of standard to be a transition to multiseriate scalariform pitting. Relatively small tra- maceration techniques for obtaining organic structures. cheids occur among larger ones, but distinct protoxylem could not be The plant was studied anatomically, palynologically and from the identified with confidence. There is no parenchyma visible among trac- macromorphological points of view, which led to a better understand- heids. Phloem is not preserved. The cortex is a parenchymatous tissue of ing of the taxonomic position of the genus Zeilleria. Anatomical struc- thin-walled isodiametric cells, up to 200 µm in diameter and up to 80 µm tures of this genus are described for the first time. high. Single parenchymatous cells show light-brown walls, only few

110 microns thick. There is no indication of either any differentiation of the attachment of sporangia to the outside indusium. Stomata occur on the cortex or any kind of protecting-tissue components, like sclerenchyma outer side of the outside tunic and they are 25 µm long and 10 µm wide. inside the cortex. Spores isolated from the Bohemian Z. zodrovii sp. nov. belong to the Fertile pinnules alternate and are attached to the ultimate rachis. group of small, laevigate, microgranulate, monolete and trilete spores Pinnules are 4–9 mm long and 3–5 mm wide, of sphenopterid or pecop- of the Punctatosporites-Laevigatosporites-Latosporites-types, similar to terid type. They show a prominent midvein, 0.18–0.2 mm wide, which those reported from Zeilleria avoldensis (Stur) Kidston and Z. nathorstii is composed of a few scalariform-thickened tracheids. Lateral veins are (Arber) Halle. Based on characters of anatomical structures Zeilleria zo- simple or bifurcate and curve away from the midvein until they reach drovii sp. nov. is provisionally placed among fern taxa incertae sedis close the margin of a pinnule at an acute angle. to the extinct family Psalixochlaenaceae Holmes. Synangia are borne on short, broad pedicels extending from the The following comparisons with other taxa of the genus Zeilleria can end of lateral veins. Pedicels are 0.2 mm wide, 0.3 mm long, and they be made: Synangia of Z. zodrovii are composed of more than 5 sporang- slowly dissolve into lateral veins (0.08–0.1 mm in diameter). There are ia, whereas in other species of Zeilleria synangia show 4–5 sporangia. Z. from three to ten synangia per pinnule. Immature synangia are slightly delicatula (Sternberg) Kidston and Z. frenzlii (Stur) Kidston more or less elongate, oval, tapering to apices, 0.6 mm long and 0.4 mm wide. Mature have laminate pinnules, whereas Z. zodrovii has sphenopterid pinnules. synangia are oval, 0.6–0.8 mm long and 0.8–1.3 mm wide. The mature Z. hymenophylloides Kidston has solitary apical sporangia (not synang- ones are opened into several segments, which are created from tunic ia). Z. nathorstii has laminate pinnules. Z. minima (Mayas) Kidston pro- around sporangia. Synangia are composed of 5 to 8 sporangia (most duced quite different trilete spores. Canipa quadrifida Skog et al., which common are 7) and special ”inside-outside” indusia. is probably conspecific with Z. avoldensis, is similar to our specimen, ex- Exannulate sporangia are placed between inside and outside in- cept that the pinnules are described as laminate. dusia. Immature sporangia are elongate, club-shaped, slightly curved, The discovery of Z. zodrovii expands knowledge of the rare Late Pal- 0.3–0.5 mm long and 0.1–0.2 mm wide with obtuse apex. Mature spo- aeozoic genus Zeilleria Kidston, but more importantly it demonstrates rangia are elongate, 0.55 mm long and 0.16–0.2 mm wide, with obtuse how to recognize more natural taxa among tenuously and artificially apex. The basal part of sporangia is composed of a broad pedicel (20 µm grouped plant fossils. The excellent preservation of Z. zodrovii allows for long and 18–25 µm wide) and a special column attached to the inside a thorough characterization of many morphological, anatomical and re- surface of a sporangium. The column gradually broadens towards the productive features. However, one must be cautious in drawing conclu- basal part of the sporangium and continues over the pedicel. Close to sions from the only specimen available. Nevertheless, there are several the special inside column an area of dehiscence is composed of elon- points of interest that tentatively justify regarding it as a fern, similar to gate cells 50–80 µm long and 2–6 µm wide, verging from the basal part structurally simple members of the Psalixochlaenaceae. to the distal part of the sporangia. This research is suppor ted by GAČR (205/05/0105), GAAV A300130503 The distal end of the indusia is separated into free-ending seg- and IGCP 469 Project. ments, that form relatively free-like segment. There is no evidence of

A COMPARISON OF PECOPTERIDS FROM SEVER AL EUROPEAN LOCALITIES AND CANADA ASTURIANSTEPHANIAN

Josef Pšenička1, Jiří Bek2 and Erwin L. Zodrow3 1 Department of Palaeontology, West Bohemian Museum in Pilsen, Kopeckého sady 2, 301 36 Pilsen, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 135, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 University College of Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P6L2, Canada

In this study we characterise a pecopterid assemblage from several We have developed a new classification of the pecopterids based on European and Canadian localities. Many investigators have studied the the combination of morphology of vegetative and reproductive plants pecopterids in the palaeobotanical history. But most of them paid at- organs and in situ spores. On this basis we recognise 7 subfamilies: 1) tention to the species that occurred only at “native” localities of their Miltonoidae, 2) Cyathoidae, 3) Unitoidae, 4) Polymorphoidae, 5) Sarae- countries. A comparison with the specimens from other countries was ponatoidae 6) Sydneoidae and 7) Psaronoidae. neglected. This study compares the material between pecopterids This research is supported by GAČR (project No. 205/05/0105), GAAV from various localities in Romania, Czech Republic, UK, France, Spain, A300130503 and IGCP Project469. Cape Breton {Canada} and others that are of Asturian-Stephanian age.

THE AMERICAN GENUS WATTIA FROM THE MIDDLE PERMIAN OF THE PECHOR A BASIN IN RUSSIA

Svetlana K. Pukhonto Vernadsky State Geological Museum RAS, Mokhovaya 11, bl.2, Moscow 125009, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The Pechora Basin is situated in the Far Northeast of European Rus- known groups. The special place among them takes the genus Wattia sia. The Permian terrigenous deposits are widely distributed on this ter- characteristic of the Arrou Formation of Texas. These plants belong to ritory. They are represented by cyclic alternation of thick beds of sand- Gymnospermae incertae sedis and are not typical for the plant assem- stones and more thin layers of conglomerates, gravelstones, aleurites, blage of the Angarian paleofloristic-phytogeographic province. argillites and coals and subdivided into three series: lower (Cisuralian), Nevertheless, the presence of Wattia in the Middle Permian of the middle (Biarmian or Guadelupian) and upper (Tatarian or Lopinian). European North has a great significance as it permits to derive a reliable The Permian deposits contain many fossil plants, represented by well- correlation of the two Permian stratigraphic scales: International and

111 modern General East-European, accepted for continental deposits of ed along veins. The size of cells decreases from the base to the leaf apex. Russia. Wattia frequently characterizes the narrow intervals of section, Papillae on the whole are small, but sometimes they reach a huge size. being a good marker. The study of the morphology and microstructure of Wattia leaves Wattia is a formal genus, represented by medium-sized, convex has allowed giving its complete diagnosis and distinguishing several leaves of a peculiar scaly, oblong or oblong ovate form, mostly asymmet- species: W. rara, W. seidaensis, W. erjagensis, W. longa, W. talbeica and W. ric, with rough, slightly wave or scalloped edges. The venation is fanny. adzwensis. The veins as a rule are coarse, relief, dichotomy two-three times, at the The stratigraphic distribution of this genus is established. The old- base are loaded in the leaf tissue. They arrive to the leaf margin usually est species (W. rara) is met on the lower-middle Permian boundary, the under a right angle, becoming thin and disappear (or merge) in thin shad- youngest one – in middle part of the upper Permian. ing of the mesophyll, having been observed on the whole leaf margin. It is The work has been supported by RFFI (Projects № 04-05-65283; № the characteristic peculiarity of this genus. The cells of the leaf lamina are 05-05-65234). prosenchymatic, more rarely isometric, rectangular or hexagonal, orient-

PALYNOLOGICAL ASSEMBLAGES IN THE UPPER VISEAN DEPOSITS OF THE NORTHWEST OF RUSSIA THE NOVGOROD REGION

Nina B. Rasskazova Department of Paleontology, Geological Faculty, Moscow State University, Vorobjevi Gory, 119992, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Miospores of the Upper Visean terrigenous (sands, sandstones, clays preserved spores. The spores of Schulzospora are dominated (26 %) but and coals) deposits of the north-western part of Russia (the Novgorod S. campyloptera is absent. There are also abundant the spores of Simo- region) have been studied. There were found a lot of well-preserved zonotriletes intortus (26 %), and Tripartites vetustus (17.5 %). The latter is spores of high plants (pollen is absent). Five palynoassemblages were the index-species of Tripartites vetustus (Ve) Zone of the Mikhailov re- determined. Palynoassemblage I (section near the Putlino Village) is gional stage. Percentage of Lycospora pusilla is reduced (3.5 %). There characterized by Lycospora pusilla (Ibr.) Som. (up to 31.0 %), Triquitrites are a lot of Lycospora pusilla (14–50 %), Schulzospora campyloptera (up to comptus Will. (3.5–21 % – index-species of Triquitrites comptus – Cin- 11.5 %), Punctatisporites platyrugosus (up to 6 %), Iugisporis parvispinus gulizonates bialatus distinctus (CBd) Zone of the Aleksin regional stage), (Lub.) Oshurk. (up to 13.5 %), Granulatisporites microgranifer Ibr. (up to Schulzospora campyloptera (Waltz) H., St. et M. (up to 10.5 %), S. magnifi- 7.5 %), Cyclogranisporites lasius (Waltz) Playf. (up to 16 %), and Tripartites ca (Isch.) Oshurk. (up to 20.0 %), Punctatisporites glaber (Naum.) Playf. vetustus (up to 26 %) in palynoassemblage IV (section on the left bank (up to 11.0 %), P. platyrugosus (Waltz) Sulliv. (4.5–8.0 %), Lophotriletes of the Krupa River). Palynoassemblage V (section near the Schibotovo grossepunctatus (Waltz) Isch. (up to 6.0 %), and Trachytriletes subintortus Village) is represented by Lycospora pusilla (40–50 %), Cingulizonates Isch. (up to 7.5 %). Palynoassemblage II (lower part of the section near bialatus var. distinctus (up to 7 %), Tripartites vetustus (up to 13 %), and the Pavlovka Village) is defined by Lycospora pusilla (26–32 %), Schul- Granulatisporites microgranifer (up to 3.5 %). The spores of Schulzospora zospora campyloptera (up to 4.5 %), Punctatisporites platyrugosus (up to campyloptera are absent in it. According to the miospore zonation for 3.5 %), and Cingulizonates bialatus (Waltz) Smith et Butt. var. distinctus the Western Europe (Clayton et al., 1977) the palynoassemblages un- Jusch. et N. Umn. (up to 6 %). The latter is the index-species of CBd Zone. der study can be correlated with Perotriletes tessellates-Schulzospora Tripartites vetustus Schem., and Simozonotriletes intortus (Waltz) Pot. et campyloptera (TC), Raistrickia nigra-Triquitrites marginatus (NM), Tripar- Kr. are occurred rarely. Palynoassemblage III (upper part of the section tites vetustus-Rotaspora fracta (VF) Zones of the Upper Visean. near the Pavlovka Village) is marked out by a few diversity of the bad-

SEDIMENTOLOGY AND PALYNOLOGY OF A FLUVIAL SYSTEM FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE COASTAL PLAIN AT HELMSTEDT, NORTHERN GERMANY

Walther Riegel1, 2, Olaf K. Lenz1,2 and Volker Wilde2 1 Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum Göttingen, Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstrasse 3, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Sektion Paläobotanik, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

The point bar succession of a meandering fluvial channel terminat- Palynological analysis confirms the correlation of the coal pebbles with ing in a cut-off filled with lignite was temporarily exposed at the recent- remnants of seam 3 exposed within the mine a few hundred meters to ly abandoned opencast mine Helmstedt near Braunschweig, Northern the southeast. Small lignite particles on upper point bar surfaces consist Germany. The channel system occurred between seams 2 and 3 of the mainly of woody fragments transported by the river as organic float. Middle Eocene Helmstedt Formation (Lutetian). After cut-off the abandoned channel was gradually filled with clay- Sediments underlying the fluvial system consist of medium-grained ey to silty sediments followed by well-bedded, leaf bearing lignite even- sands showing evidence of marine influence by the occurrence of nu- tually passing into a massive matrix dominated lithotype characteristic merous Ophiomorpha-type burrows and a diverse dinocyst assemblage. of the immediately overlying seam 2. Palynologically this transition is Intermittent terrestrialization (“Verlandung”) is indicated by a small seam accompanied by a change in assemblage composition typical of moist including a succession of mangrove to marsh environments as reflected to relatively dry mire forests. by its pollen and phytoplankton assemblages. The top of the small seam Leaf cuticles with excellent preservation and high diversity have has been eroded and highly disturbed by burrowing, thus indicating the been recovered from the underlying estuarine sediments as well as return to marine conditions in a generally estuarine environment. from the abandoned channel fill. The former apparently represent After the sea retreated the meander bend of a 2 m deep fluvial leaves transported by the estuarine drift, the latter the local leaf fall of channel progressing from southeast to northwest has been cut into the the vegetation occupying the banks of the oxbow lake. Petrographic estuarine substrate. The channel lag of the active channel includes peb- polished sections exhibit preservation of palisade and sponge paren- bles and boulders of coal derived from the erosion of the older seam 3. chyma in leaves embedded in the channel fill.

112 HERBACEOUS PEATFORMING MIRES ON THE LOWER EOCENE COASTAL PLAIN OF NORTHERN GERMANY  PALYNOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE OPEN MINE OF SCHÖNINGEN SOUTHFIELD

Walther Riegel1, 2 and Volker Wilde2 1 Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum Göttingen, Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstrasse 3, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Sektion Paläobotanik, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Under the greenhouse climate of the Eocene vast lignite deposits mainly estuarine origin another lignite-bearing succession follows. have generally been formed from forest mires while herbaceous peat- Here, lignites are mostly well-bedded to laminated by fine particles of forming mires spread much later during the Neogene when grasses and charcoal or humic tissues covering bedding surfaces. Associated paly- sedges attained formation status. Palynological evidence is presented nological assemblages are dominated by spores of Sphagnaceae (Stere- here to suggest that an association of ferns, mosses and Restionaceae isporites spp.), a variety of ferns, and pollen of Restionaceae (Milfordia together with other potential aquatic herbs formed peat–forming mires spp.), while the proportion of common mire forest elements is signifi- in an estuarine setting during the Lower Eocene at Schöningen near cantly reduced. Charcoalified remains of characteristic Sphagnum leaf Helmstedt, Lower Saxony, Germany. tissues strongly suggest that the herbaceous element is indigenous to In the opencast mine of Schöningen (Southfield) about 150 m of the peat mire and the arboreal pollen external. In addition, the com- lignite-bearing sediments are exposed representing almost the entire plete lack of tree stump horizons and the scarcity of wood tissues in Lower Eocene (Ypresian). The main seam of 10 m thickness at the base of a seam of 3 m thickness supports our interpretation that herbaceous, the section is followed by two other seams in close succession. In addi- probably raised peat mires persisted locally during the Lower Eocene to tion to tree stump horizons these seams include isolated charcoal layers form coal seams of economic importance. Based on the sedimentology which contain an unusual assemblage of spores of Sphagnaceae and of accompanying clastic beds, these herbaceous peat mires developed Polypodiaceae representing events of severe disruption in the normal in an environment transitional between estuarine and fluvial. Seasonal forest mire development. droughts may have been responsible for the regular and frequent oc- Above an about 55 m thick sequence of sands, silts and clays of currence of thin charcoal layers.

UNIQUE AND EXTINCT  PERMIAN CALAMITALEANS CONTRIBUTE TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF SPHENOPSID PALAEOBIOLOGY

Ronny Rößler DAStietz, Museum für Naturkunde, Moritzstraße 20, Chemnitz, Germany, D-09111, [email protected]

Among plant groups of the Carboniferous and Permian low-lati- Other branches, herbaceous and probably grown and abscised sea- tude wetland forests the calamitaleans belong to most common, but at sonally, are in fact seen on the pith cast, but they are not adequate for the same time the most puzzling, ones. These unique plants included recognising the growth architecture of the plants as a whole. Some, if the largest sphenopsids known to date and combined a number of not all, of the Permian calamite trees, may have survived short seasonal developmental and morphological peculiarities, such as arborescence episodes of dryness, during which they reduced water uptake and shed and aerial growth of hollow perennial stems linked to an underground their herbaceous branches. But there are further indications that reflect system of rhizomes, combined with extensive wood development and climatic cyclicity. Several Arthropitys stems exhibit growth rings. Large- a nodal-branching architecture. They are interpreted as having shown diameter woody trunks point to an extended individual age of the Per- telescopic growth, but are traditionally reconstructed in a rather uni- mian calamitaleans. A high percentage of parenchyma (up to 50 %) may form way. Our current knowledge is based mainly on widely distributed, represent “succulence” to a certain degree. Both characters could be well-known pith cast compressions and coal ball permineralisations of interpreted as adaptations to ensure reproduction rate and survival in the Pennsylvanian equatorial tropics. However, distinct characters nec- a more dynamic or disturbed environment, compared with the climax essary for reconstructing the growth architecture are often absent on vegetation of the Pennsylvanian coastal tropics. Several specimens sug- pith casts or rarely seen on comparatively small coal ball specimens. gest that some calamitaleans may have become more and more inde- New observations from the Permian petrified forests of Chemnitz, pendent from the underground rhizome during their ontogeny. Germany and Tocantins, Brazil call into question the usual, classical ca- Characters used for calamite systematics need to be re-evaluated lamite reconstructions and provide a revised picture of calamitaleans at with regard to their taxonomic significance. Some of them, such as fre- a time close to their extinction. In Tocantins, some large-sized, almost quently used measurement ratios or parenchyma and xylem anatomical complete stems were found, which indicate different types of branch- features show considerable variability, which seems to be due to both ing and a high variation of branching patterns; far more than previously ontogenetic change and references to edaphical/ecological variation. thought. Fossil calamitaleans from Chemnitz confirm that only a few With regard to future plant reconstructions, one should exercise caution branches seem to have been permanent. The plants show considerable and avoid over-interpreting the value of single preservation states such secondary xylary growth that starts as expected external to the stele, as pith cast compressions. Only the consideration of all aspects of the but without leaving any indication of its existence on the pith surface. primary and secondary body, branching, and the ontogenetic develop- Therefore, major branches that may have influenced plant biomechan- ment, will reveal the plant’s growth habit as a whole, and will lead to ics in particular are currently not illustrated in most reconstructions. more consistent systematics.

113 UPPER TRIASSIC CARNIAN AMBER FROM THE SOUTHERN ALPS AND ITS PALEOBOTANICAL IMPLICATION

Guido Roghi1, Eugenio Ragazzi2, Natalia Zavialova3, Evelyn Kustatscher4 and Johanna H. A van Konijnenburg-van Cittert5 1 Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources – CNR, Via Garibaldi 37, 35137 Padova, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Pharmacology and Anaesthesiology, Padova University, Largo Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Laboratory of Palaeobotany, Palaeontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsoyusnaya str. 123, Moscow 117647, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Naturmuseum Südtirol, Bindergasse 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 5 Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, and National Natural History Museum Naturalis, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

The Triassic amber from the Dolomites (Southern Alps) is one of ly yields poorly preserved horsetail remains and numerous coniferous the most ancient and quantitatively relevant fossil resins of the World. shoots, some of the latter with cheirolepidiaceous cuticles. The palyno- This fossil resin was mainly extracted as small but well-preserved drops logical assemblage of the Heiligkreuz-Santa Croce Formation contains (about 2–5 mm in length with an estimated number of 50,000 drops) abundant and diverse members of the Circumpolles-group. The study from a paleosol rich in plant debris. The paleosol belongs to the Heil- of their fine morphology and ultrastructure revealed several, although igkreuz-Santa Croce Formation (formerly Dürrenstein Formation) which much more simple, ultrastructural features that they share with Classo- is well exposed near Cortina D’Ampezzo. The age of this carbonate-ter- pollis, a typical cheirolepidiaceous pollen genus. The rich association of rigenous unit corresponds to Upper Julian to Lower Tuvalian (Carnian, leaf fragments with well-preserved cuticles and amber drops suggests 220 My). closeness between the depositionary point of this remains and the orig- Another locality where amber has been preserved is located in the inal living place of the conifer trees from which a great quantity of resin Julian Alps. This amber, less abundant but older in age, has been col- was exudated and to which the shoots belong. lected from the terrigenous unit called Rio del Lago Formation, lower In the Julian Alps site, an association including well-preserved Carnian in age (about 225 My). conifers, pteridosperms, ferns and horsetails, has been found. Shoots Physical-chemical investigations by means of infrared spectropho- with characteristic cheirolepidiaceous cuticles and amber between the tometry (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermogravimetry leaves supports the affinity between the amber drops and the cheirole- (TG), and differential thermogravimetry (DTG), as well as automatized pidiaceous remains. elemental analysis yielded a comprehensive characterization of the am- Stratigraphical studies of other amber-bearing levels in Europe and ber from the Dolomites. These analyses suggest it to be a unique kind North America together with our quantitative palynological investiga- of fossil resin and allow the authors to accomplish a comparison with tion support the original hypothesis that these ambers derive from resin ambers and younger resins (copals) from other sites worldwide. exudation of trees stressed by climatic changes. Paleobotanical and palynological analyses of the amber-bearing Additionally the presence of inclusions in the fossil resin of the Do- levels were carried out, in attempt to define the taxonomic group that lomites is interesting. These are however scarce and represented by produced this fossil resin. The Heiligkreuz-Santa Croce Formation most- bacteria, plant remains and cysts.

THE STRUCTURE OF FOLLICLES IN FOSSIL AND RECENT ANGIOSPERMS

Mikhail S. Romanov1 and Alexey V. F. Ch. Bobrov2 1 Dendrology Dept., Main Botanical Garden of RAS, 127276, Botanicheskaya st., 4, Moscow, Russia Federation 2 Recent Deposits & Pleistocene Palaeogeography Dept., Geographical Faculty, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 199992, Moscow, Russian Federation

Follicle is treated as the basal type of fruit from which other fruit usually characterized by ventral or dorso-ventral dehiscence and similar types evolved in direct and indirect ways. Follicles are the most archaic anatomical differentiation of pericarp, especially endocarp. The second fruit type, which is frequently observed in fossil Cretaceous and even type of follicle was observed in Illicium: the endocarp in its ventrally de- Late Jurassic angiosperms. Follicle is treated as modified megasporo- hiscent follicles has very distinct structure – one layer of strongly radi- phyl of ancestors of flowering plants. It was revealed that most fossil ally-elondated palisade sclereids. The third type of anatomical differen- follicles dehiscent along their ventral suture and expose from many tiation of fruits was observed in Degeneria and Winteraceae; their inde- to one seed. Morphology-anatomical studies of specimens with fully hiscent fruits are characterized by one layered strongly parenchymatic or partly preserved tissues demonstrate remarkable similarity of ana- endocarp. Unlike follicles of two first types, in which fruit dehiscence is tomical structure of fossil follicles in cross sections (e.g. Agapitocarpus, secured by drying of the outer zones of pericarp (exo- and mesocarp) Archaeanthus, Maiandrocarpus, Zeugarocarpus): exocarp (epidermis), and splitting of endocarp along the suture, the fruits of the third type mesocarp (several to many layers of parenchymatic cells sometimes are indehiscent and their anatomical structure implies their incapability with some nests of sclereids) and endocarp (one to several layers of for dehiscence. This type of fruits was suggested to be called winterine sclerenchymatic cells markedly elongated in tangential or longitudinal – the analogy of follicle observed in Degeneriaceae and Winteraceae. direction). Our investigations of morphology and anatomy of follicles The development of gynoecium in these families indicated its great from most clades of recent angiosperm allowed revealing three types of similarity with megasporophyls of different fossil groups of seed plants. their anatomical structure. The follicles of the first, the most wide spread Both winterines and the second type of follicle (Illicium-type) could not type (found in Anaxagoraea, Lactoris, Magnoliaceae, Myristicaceae, Pae- be closely linked with classical follicles discovered in many recent angio- onia, Proteaceae p.p., Quillaja, Rosaceae-Spiraeoideae, Scheuchzeria, sperm families and fossil plants. Trochodendraceae, Xylopia) are very similar with fossil ones. They are

114 REVISION OF THE GENUS DUPLEXISPORITES DEÁK PLAYFORD ET DETTMANN

Julia I. Rostovtseva Department of Paleontology, Geological Faculty, Moscow State University, Vorobjevi Gory, 119992, Moscow, Russia

The genus Duplexisporites was originally described by Deák in 1962 porites to the subgroup Cingulati. Potonié described a new species of from grey clays of the Aptian age of Hungary. This genus is characterized Duplexisporites, but this species is not valid for this genus, since this spe- by specific anastomosing muri. Thomson and Pflug (1953) described cies has cingulum but the diagnosis of the genus Duplexisporites has no a similar genus Corrugatisporites with a single species (type species cingulum. Shugaevskaya (1969) described ribbed miospores from Upper – Sporites solidus). Weyland and Greifeld (1953) described two more spe- Mesozoic deposits. She modified the diagnosis of Duplexisporites and cies of Corrugatisporites. Potonié and Kremp (1955) excluded C. solidus pointed out the presence of a cingulum in the description. However, the from this genus, and indicated the lectogenotype: C. toratus Weyland photos and schematic figures in her work did not confirm the presence et Greifeld, 1953. Playford and Dettmann (1965) demonstrated that the of a cingulum. Shuurman (1977) distinguished the genus Asseretospora genus Corrugatisporites was not valid according to the Code (1961, art. with the type species A. gyrata for miospores from the Rhaetian-Liassic 42). So, the generic name Duplexisporites Deák 1962 became correct. deposits of Australia. The diagnosis of the genus was completely iden- Deák attributed this genus to the subgroup Cingulati and pointed out tical to the diagnosis of Duplexisporites by Playford and Dettmann. In the presence of a cingulum. Later, Playford and Dettmann (1965) rede- her palynological study of the Triassic of western Caucasus, Yaroshenko scribed taxa of rounded-triangular outlines and a rough ribbed exine. (1978) described Rotinella trisecta Maljavk., 1949 and included Duplexis- They noted that the type specimens illustrated by Deák did not have porites gyratus in the synonymy of Rotinella trisecta Maliavk. in aim to re- the cingulum. These authors retained the generic name Duplexisporites, store the priority of the genus Rotinella. R. trisecta, established by Malia- but changed the diagnosis and moved the genus from the subgroup vkina (1949), is similar to Duplexisporites gyratus. Since Maliavkina (1949) Cingulati to the subgroup Murornati. did not describe Rotinella according to the Code, this genus is invalid. So far, some authors still use the diagnosis given by Deák and con- To conclude, the generic name Duplexisporites Deák, 1962, emend. sider members of Duplexisporites as forms having a cingulum. Other Playford et Dettmann, 1965 is the only valid name describing rounded- palynologists consider the genus as it was described by Playford and triangular and acingulate spores with different muri. Dettmann (1965). Therefore, there is a lot of confusions in the literature This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Re- concerning this genus. For example, Potonié (1966) moved Duplexis- search, project no. 04-05-64420.

THE POLLEN ANALYSIS OF THE CHOSEN QUATERNARY LOCALITIES FROM THE GIANT MOUNTAINS KRKONOŠE

Alena Roszková1 and Vlasta Jankovská2 1 Institute of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Botanical Institute AS CR, Bělidla 4a, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected].

The paleobotanical reconstruction of the vegetation development will be illustrated in a pollen diagram compiled by the special program of the Giant Mountains is based on the pollen analysis of moors. The POLPAL. peat has risen and accumulated the pollen grains from the Late Glacial In the subalpine zone of Stříbrná bystřina the mixed forest of Pinus, Pi- during the Holocene. The peat profiles studied were taken from two lo- cea prevailed and Fagus. Pinus and Picea predominated over Abies. Betula calities differing in vegetation types and topography. and Alnus were profusely present. Other trees as Betula, Fraxinus, Salix and Stříbrná bystřina (1420–1430 m a.s.l.) is situated in the arctic alpine climatically more demanding trees as Tilia, Corylus, Carpinus, Ulmus, Acer tundra near Stříbrný hřbet Mt. (1471 m a.s.l.) and NW from Luční hora and Quercus were also present. The regular presence of Carpinus testifies Mt. (1555 m a. s. l.). The meadow is overgrown by Nardus stricta and Pi- the maximal ages to be of Subboreal. The older pollen spectra were not nus mugo. The bog, in which the sediment of the studied profile was found. Distributions of Polypodiaceae and Sphagnum have decreasing produced, is about 4 ha wide and 150 cm deep. Other bog plants are tendencies whereas Poaceae, Asteraceae and Plantaginaceae an increas- Sphagnum, Polytrichum, Carex rostrata, Calluna, Andromeda, Oxycoccus ing one. Generally, the representation of woody species is falling and the palustris, Vaccinium ulliginosum, Rubus chamaemorus, Eriophorum an- content of herbs has increasing tendency from the half of the profile. The gustifolium etc. The profil was taken from palsa-like formation in August mountain areas could be employed as pastures. That is why more antro- 2003 to depth 70 cm. pogenic indicators (cereals, weeds – Centaurea cyanus) appeared there. Rýchory Bog is situated on the Dvorský les Mt. (1033 m a.s.l.) 700 m In the montane zone of Rýchory, the forests of Pinus, Betula, Al- S from Kutná, rozcestí (996.2 m a. s. l). The place is under the forest limit in nus and Fagus prevailed. The samples include the trees pollen grains the forested zone overgrown by the Fagus virgin forest with Sorbus, Acer, as Abies, Carpinus, Corylus, Quercus,Tilia and even Salix. Polypodiaceae Betula (B. alba, B. pubescens, B. carpatica), Hieracium aurantiacum, Pulsa- began to decrease. The profile is characterized by a general increase of tilla alba, Aconitum firmum, Lycopodiella inundata, Arnica montana, Tricho- herbs (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Asteraceae, Plantaginaceae, Silenaceae, phorum alpinum, Comarum palustre, Eriophorum sp., Menyanthes trifoliata, Chenopodiaceae, Fabaceae, Daucaceae, Polygonaceae), including an- Veratrum, Allium victorialis, families Ericaceae and Vacciniaceae etc. The tropogenic indicators (Plantago, Centaurea) and cultivated plants (cere- profile (70 cm) was taken from Sphagnum formation in October 2002. als). The pollen spectra have small changes. The mutual relationships of The material was composed of peat mossy sediment with small trees and herbs representations are not too variable. Betula, Salix, Alnus admixture of mineral substratum. The both cores were sampled at in- and slightly Picea are increasing in the specimen numbers from 10 cm. tervals of 5 or 10 cm in 1 cm3. Pollen frequency was very good in all We can suppose a small increase of rainfalls. samples except samples from 10 cm. The results of the pollen analysis The research was supported by Grant GA ČR 205/06/0587.

115 COMPUTER SIMULATION OF DIFFUSION THROUGH SUNKEN STOMATA

Aanita Roth-Nebelsick Institute for Geosciences, Tübingen, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Stomata represent the interface between plant interior and the at- layer which is decoupled from the free air stream and in which special mosphere. They represent the main pathway of gaseous exchange and velocity gradients exist. control the budget of water loss versus CO2 fixation. The physiognomy In this contribution, results of a computer simulation approach ap- of stomata and their density are thus, besides regulation mechanisms plied to the gaseous exchange of a sunken stoma are presented. Differ- of stomatal opening, important targets with respect to climate-driven ent stomatal pore types are compared with respect to their diffusional selective pressures. Correspondingly, stoma structure, the size of the flux: two stomatal pores sunken ca. 10 µm and 20 µm and a pore which stomatal apparatus and stomatal density differ widely within plant taxa is not sunken. Additionally, the evaporative sites were varied by defining and lineages. an internal cuticle within one model pore which is not sunken. Many stomatal traits are interpreted with respect to reducing water The results show that the diffusional flux is decreased for the sunken loss. In numerous taxa, stomata are arranged in crypts, are covered by stomata significantly under the assumed conditions. The stoma which is papillae or sunken below the epidermal surface. It is generally assumed not sunken but equipped with an internal cuticle shows, however, an that these architectures impede the diffusion of water vapour outwards even higher decrease of the diffusion rate. The sunken architectures and are thus a means to decrease the transpiration rate. Such xeromor- affect gasesous exchange in general. This means that the diffusional phic adaptations are also interpreted within palaeoclimatological con- resistance increases also for the CO2 influx. The presence of an internal siderations as signalling dry conditions. There are, however, so far no cuticle only decreases water loss, since the internal cuticle shifts evapo- quantitative studies concerning the capacity of these arrangements to ration to sites deeper within the leaf, but has no influence on the carbon decrease transpiration rates. Stomatal pores range within the microm- fixation sites. The results achieved so far document the potential of this eter size. A single pore with its diffusional gradient is thus generally lo- approach for functional analyses of stomatal architectures with implica- cated within the boundary layer of the surrounding air. It contains an air tions for palaeoclimatological interpretations of stomatal traits.

WOOD CHAR ACTERISTICS AND CLIMATE: BIOPHYSICAL APPROACHES

Anita Roth-Nebelsick1 and Wilfried Konrad1 1 Institute for Geosciences, Tübingen, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Many traits of wood show significant correlations to climatic param- respect to form-function interrelationships of wood. Embolism (forma- eters and a number of studies demonstrating quantitative relationships tion, spreading and reversal) has been identified as a highly essential between trait occurrence and variations in climate. These relationships factor for wood adaptations. In this respect, it is important to distinguish have been used to establish transfer functions based on different char- between freezing-induced embolism and embolism by water stress. For acters or character combinations for palaeoclimatic reconstructions. example, it was demonstrated that conduits (both vessels and tracheids) The accuracy of these approaches can be tested using extant vegetation are less affected by freezing-induced embolism if their diameter is equal and climatic patterns. Different transfer functions show varying results or lower 30 µm. Embolism due to water stress (air seeding) is expected and it is impossible to identify a “best” approach. to be highly dependent on pit membrane structure and interconduit pit It is to be expected that a deeper understanding of the causal reasons area. A novel refilling mechanism was discovered for which probably pit for the observed correlations between climate and traits would be ben- architecture and axial parenchyma are essential components. eficial for palaeoclimate reconstructions. There are various well-founded Basic to explaining these phenomena is the behaviour of bubbles in suggestions for several climate-trait correlations. For example, vessel the conduits: a well-adapted system should be able to minimize the oc- density and vessel grouping is interpreted to enhance the safety of water currence of embolism-generating bubbles and/or to repair embolized transport: if a certain number of vessels embolize under water stress con- conduits. Conduit architecture plays an important role by simply setting ditions, then the water transport system is less affected if vessel density the physical environment for bubble behaviour. Distinguishing freez- is high. Vessel grouping allows for alternate vessel pathways. Both traits ing-induced bubbles from “water stress bubbles” is important in this thus signal a dryer climate. Other traits are, however, much more difficult respect. In this contribution, several aspects of conduit structure and to interprete. It has been suggested, for example, in the case of scalariform embolism partially based on recent findings are presented which are perforation plates that the perforation plate is able to arrest gas bubbles. likely to be important for a deeper understanding between climate and The functional role of helical thickenings is also still unclear. wood traits. Some approaches to corresponding form-function relation- There has been notable progress in the last number of years with ships will also be discussed.

THE TRIASSIC/JUR ASSIC BOUNDARY OF THE NW TETHYAN REALM N HUNGARY: PALYNOFACIES AS TOOL TO RECONSTRUCT THE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Katrin Ruckwied1, Annette E. Götz1, János Haas2 and József Pálfy3 1 Institute of Geosciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Geological Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Research Group for Paleontology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected]

The studied Csővár section is situated NE of Budapest (Hungary) indicate that this area was located close to the offshore margin of the and exposes a continuous, marine Triassic/Jurassic boundary section of Dachstein carbonate platform system, which was segmented by intra- slope to basinal facies. Late Triassic palaeogeographic reconstructions platform basins. A predominantly limestone succession is exposed in

116 two outcrops: the Pokol-völgy quarry and the southern slope of the Vár- well as a high amount of large translucent plant fragments within the hegy. Based on ammonites and the last appearance of conodonts, the phytoclast group, may point to the transport mechanism of sedimen- Triassic-Jurassic boundary can be drawn within the Csővár Formation. tary organic matter, strongly related to the occurrence and frequency of Facies analysis of the Rhaetian-Hettangian deposits reveals a long- turbidites along the slope. term change in sea level, superimposed by short-term fluctuations. The studied samples of the Pokol-völgy quarry yield a typical Upper After a period of highstand platform progradation in the Late Norian, Rhaetian palynomorph assemblage, characterised by a high amount a significant sea-level fall occurred in the Early Rhaetian, exposing large of Circumpolles (Classopollis), Rhaetipollis germanicus, Ovalipollis pseu- parts of the platform. A renewed transgression led to the formation of doalatus and numerous trilete spores. The marine fraction is marked by smaller build-ups fringing the higher parts of the previous foreslope that foraminiferal test linings and prasinophytes of the genus Pterospermella; served as habitat of crinoids, representing the main source of carbonate acritarchs are very rare and dinoflagellate cysts are absent. This micro- turbidites. The higher part of the Rhaetian is characterised by proximal plankton assemblage is characteristic of a permanently stratified basin. turbidites with intercalated lithoclastic debris flows. Distal turbidites Palynofacies of the carbonates exposed in the upper part of the Vár- and radiolarian basin facies become prevalent upsection, dominating hegy section, dated as Lower Hettangian, is dominated by degraded or- in the earliest Hettangian. The next significant facies change in the Early ganic matter, small equidimensional phytoclasts and foraminiferal test Hettangian is marked by the appearance of redeposited oncoid–grape- linings, pointing to a distal basinal setting. stone beds, indicating the end of the Rhaetian to earliest Hettangian The integrated analysis of sedimentary and organic facies enables sequence. one to reconstruct the depositional environment and to detect major Palynofacies of the sedimentary series exposed in the Pokol-völgy sedimentary processes. The dominance of turbidites, together with the quarry is dominated by terrestrial components, reflecting a high sup- preservation and composition of sedimentary organic matter, supports ply from the hinterland. Numerous needle-shaped opaque particles, as the complex basin topography.

TRIASSIC/JUR ASSIC MICROFLOR AS OF THE NW TETHYAN REALM: CLUES TO RECONSTRUCTING CLIMATIC CHANGES

Katrin Ruckwied1 , Annette E. Götz1, József Pálfy2 and Jozef Michalík3 1 Institute of Geoscience, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099 Halle (Saale), Germany e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Research Group for Paleontology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Geological Institute, Slovak Academy of Science, Dúbravská 9, PO Box 106, SK-84005 Bratislava, Slovakia, e-mail: [email protected]

The composition and diversity of late Rhaetian/Hettangian micro- core material reveal a fluvial-lacustrine succession continued by paralic floras of the NW Tethyan realm are investigated with respect to the Trias- coal deposits. The Upper Triassic Karolinavölgy Sandstone Formation is sic/Jurassic mass extinction and the processes that may have caused this built up by arkosic sandstones and siltstones, overlain by the coal-bear- crisis. Key locations for detailed palynological studies are selected in the ing uppermost Triassic to Lower Liassic Mecsek Coal Formation. Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) and the Mecsek Mountains (Hungary). The palynomorph assemblages of both settings display typical Rha- The Furkaska section (Tatra Mts., Slovakia) exposes a complete suc- etian/Liassic microfloras, dominated by bisaccate pollen grains, trilete cession of a proximal marine setting. The Upper Triassic Fatra Formation spores and Circumpolles. Notable quantitative changes in the composi- is characterised by bioclastic limestones and fine-grained clastics, over- tion of the palynomorph assemblages are interpreted with respect to lain by dark claystones with intercalated sandstones of the lowermost climatic changes within this period. Jurassic Kopieniec Formation. The boundary interval is placed near the Palynology has been proven as a powerful tool for terrestrial to ma- transition of the two formations, based on geochemical data and micro- rine correlation. The floral turnover on land can be directly read from facies analyses. changes in the palynomorph assemblages in the investigated marine In the area of Pécs and Komló (Mecsek Mts., Hungary) outcrops and and terrestrial sections.

VEGETATION AND CLIMATE OF NORTHWEST MONGOLIA HOTONNUR LAKE DURING LATE GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE

Natalia A. Rudaya1, 2, Andrei A. Andreev2, Ivan A. Kalugin3, Andrei V. Daryin3 and Narantsetseg Tserendash4 1 Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS, Ak. Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Research Unit Potsdam, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany 3 Trofimuk United Institute of Geology, Geophysics and Mineralogy SB RAS, Ak. Koptyuga 3, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia 4 Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources of MAS, 210351 Enkhtaivnii orgon choloo 63 Bayanzurkh duureg, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Hoton-Nur Lake (48°40’ N, 88°18’ E, 2 083 m a.s.l.) is located in Hovd the area is steppe and meadow-steppe communities (mostly Artemisia, intermountain depression in the Mongolian Altai. The lake has an area Cyperaceae, Poaceae). The high-mountain tundra with Carex, Kobresia, of 50.1 km2 with maximum water depth of ca. 58 m and average depth and Betula rotundifolia communities is located above the 3 000 m. Picea ca. 26.6 m. The lake has inflow from the Karatyr and Ak-Su Rivers and obovata-Larix sibirica forests grow at the mountain slopes south-west outflow to Hurgan-Nur Lake. The biggest Mongolian River Hovd flows of the lake and in river valleys. Single trees of Pinus sibirica grows in the out of the lake. upper part of the Ak-Su River. The lake was formed when end moraine deposits dammed the Ka- A 260 cm core was taken in the central part of the lake during the ratyr and Ak-Su Rivers during the Late Glacial at a phase of active melt- 2004 field season and later palynologically studied. The pollen diagram ing of mountain snow and cirque glaciers ca 11 000–14 000 14C yr BP was visually subdivided into 5 pollen zones (PZ). The low most sedi- (Sevastyanov and Dorofeyuk 1992). ments (210–260 cm, PZ-I) have a very low pollen concentration and is

The area is characterized by long and cold winters (TI is -20–25 °C) characterized by high contents of herb pollen (up to 90 %). Chenopo- and short but relative warm summers (TVII is 15 °C). Modern vegetation in diaceae (up to 60 %), Artemisia (up to 20 %), Cyperaceae (up to 15 %) and

117 Poaceae (up to 15 %), and Ephedra (up to 10 %) dominate the spectra. PZ-III (175–120cm) is characterized by a significant increase of Picea Other herb pollen are represented by Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae, Lam- (up to 65 %) and an increase of Betula sect. Nanae (up to 5.4 %). Artemisia iaceae, Asteraceae etc. Content of shrub pollen is very low – few grains (up to 20 %), Chenopodiaceae (up to 25 %), Poaceae (up to 10 %), and Cy- of Betula sect. Nanae, Salix. Lonicera, and Grossulariaceae. Tree pollen are peraceae (up to 5 %) dominate between herb pollen. PZ-IV (120–35cm) represented by Picea (5–20 %), Larix (up to 8.5 %) and Pinus sibirica (up to is similar to PZ-III but is characterized by higher contents of Picea (up to 3 %). Unfortunately, we do not yet have any 14C dates from the core, but 70 %) and Pinus sibirica (up to 10 %). comparison with a record published by Tarasov et al. (2000) suggesting A comparison with the published record (Tarasov et al. 2000) sug- that these sediments were accumulated during the Late Glacial. gesting that the sediments from PZ-III and PZ-IV were accumulated dur- PZ-II (210–175cm) is characterized by an increase of tree and shrub ing the Holocene optimum ca 9 000–4 000 14C yr BP, when spruce forest pollen, especially Picea (up to 26–50 %), Larix (up to 10 %), and Ephedra grew around the lake. (up to 15 %). However, contents of herb pollen are high (up to 70 %). PZ-V (35–0 cm) is characterized by an increase of herb taxa (up to Chenopodiaceae (up to 40 %) and Artemisia (up to 40 %) dominate be- 55 %) showing the dominance of herb associations around the lake. tween the herb pollen. A comparison with the published record (Taras- Changes in the vegetation point to deterioration of climate conditions ov et al. 2000) suggesting that this zone correlate with early Holocene, after 4 000 14C yr BP. ca 10 000–9 000 yr 14C BP.

ATMOSPHERIC CO2: A POTENTIAL PLAYER IN EARLY HOLOCENE CLIMATE DYNAMICS

Mats Rundgren1 and Friederike Wagner2 1 GeoBiosphere Science Centre, Department of Geology, Quaternary Sciences, Lund University, Lund, SE-223 62, Sweden, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Palaeoecology, Lab. of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CD, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

As indicated by data from the Vostok ice core, atmospheric CO2 con- CO2 oscillations are clearly documented in two or more stomatal-based centration plays an important role as an amplifier of climatic changes records. These are both temporally related to major climatic events, i.e. over glacial-interglacial timescales. A climate – carbon cycle link is sug- the Preboreal oscillation (PBO) and the 8.2 cold event, and at least the gested also for millennial-scale climatic changes by CO2 (and CH4) varia- latter event is also characterised by a CH4 oscillation in Greenland (and tions in ice core records from the last glacial period and the Holocene. It possibly also Antarctic) ice core data. This is strong evidence that major is, however, still not clear to what extent CO2 is also involved in century- Holocene century-scale climatic events were associated with rapid reor- scale climate variability. Although CO2 oscillations of this duration are ganisations of the global carbon cycle. documented by ice cores for the last millennium, their presence earlier The long timescales characteristic of the major processes regulat- in the Holocene is less clear from the ice core record. Interpretations ing carbon fluxes between the atmosphere and the ocean suggest ter- of rapid atmospheric trace gas variations from ice cores has, however, restrial processes to be important contributors to Holocene centennial- to consider the attenuated amplitude of these records resulting from scale CO2 variations, but marine processes should also be considered. molecular diffusion during the process of air enclosure. The degree of Indeed, modelling studies show that the period of reduced CO2 levels smoothing is controlled mainly by temperature and accumulation rate (5–10 ppmv) registered in ice cores between c. 1 550 and 1 800 A.D. is at the drilling site. For example, a CH4 drop is clearly registered at the most compatible with terrestrial carbon uptake, and a climatic cause for time of the 8.2 kyr cold event in the Greenland GRIP record but less clear this CO2 drop is suggested by concurrently low (Little Ice Age) tempera- at Dome C in Antarctica, where temperature and accumulation rate is tures. lower. Unfortunately, Greenland ice core CO2 records are not considered The response in terrestrial carbon storage to various types and reliable because of artefacts related to elevated impurity (mainly car- magnitudes of climatic forcing may be explored with dynamic global bonate) levels in the ice. This reduces the potential to detect rapid CO2 vegetation models (DVGMs). Such studies suggest that a temperature variations in ice core studies. decrease in accordance with Little Ice Age data causes a CO2 decrease of

Compared to ice core records, CO2 reconstructions based on the reasonable amplitude. This type of experiments also allows the relative stomatal frequency of terrestrial plant leaves preserved in sediments importance of individual processes within the terrestrial biosphere to and peat suggest that centennial CO2 variations occurred both in the be estimated. More realistic tests of the hypothesis that Holocene cen- late and early Holocene. The CO2 evolution documented by stomatal tury-scale CO2 oscillations were climatically induced may be performed data for the last millennium is similar to that reflected in ice cores and with coupled climate models including DVGMs, and simulations for the indicates a relation to climate changes. In addition, two early Holocene last millennium indicate that this is a feasible explanation.

PALYNOLOGICAL CRITERIA USED FOR THE STR ATIGR APHIC SUBDIVISION OF UPPEROLIGOCENE AND NEOGENE DEPOSITS OF BELARUS

Tatyana B. Rylova Institute of Geochemistry and Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Kuprevich str. 7, 220141 Minsk, Belarus, e-mail: [email protected]

Palynological investigations of Upper-Oligocene and Neogene 30–35 % pollen of subtropical, more rarely tropical constituents; the deposits located within the territory of Belarus suggest that the most participation of the pollen of palaeotropical constituents decreases important criteria that may be used as a basis of their stratigraphic sub- sharply (to a few percents) at the boundary between the Smoliarcka division are as follow: and Bukcha horizons (Lower and Middle Miocene), climate species 1. The taxonomic composition and abundance of the pollen belonging become dominating in their pollen amount, and the contribution of to constituents of the paleotropical and arctotertiary geofloras: ex. the pollen of herbs also increases. gr., deposits of the Upper Oligocene and Lower Miocene include up to 2. A predominance of some taxa or their groups: the maxima of the Pinus

118 s/g Haploxylon (80 %), Podocarpus (32 %), Cathaya (16 %), Engelhartia the pollen of Pinus s/g Haploxylon is dominating, ex gr., in Upper (9 %) pollen are confined ex gr. to deposits of the Upper Oligocene; Oligocene deposits (the pollen of Pinus s/g Diploxylon makes up to the maxima of Quercoidites henrici (Pot.) Pot., Thoms., Thierg. (9), a few percents); in deposits of the Lower and Middle Miocene species Tricolporopollenites pseudocingulum (Pot.) Thoms. et Pfl. (16 %), Cyril- of both subgenera insignificantly dominate in turn over each other; laceae-Clethraceae (24 %) are associated with deposits correspond- beginning from the Upper Miocene Pinus s/g Diploxylon becomes ing to the climatic optimum of Late-Smoliarka time (Early Miocene); prevailing in its pollen abundance. the maximun participation of the Quercus (47 %), Castanea (10 %), 5. The taxonomic composition of the pollen of arboreal and shrub spe- Tilia (4 %), Fraxinus (5 %), Eucommia (1,5 %) pollen in the Neogene is cies that created bog forests (facies constituents): ex gr., for deposits confined to deposits of the Kholmech horizon (Lower – beginning of of the Upper Oligocene this is mainly the pollen of Taxodiaceae and the Upper Pleistocene), etc. Cupressaceae; for Lower-Miocene deposits – Taxodiaceae, Cupres- 3. The occurrence of pollen of specific taxa commonly confined to saceae, Myrica, Nyssa, Cyrillaceae-Clethraceae; for Middle Miocene bounded regions that became extinct or migrated behind the limits deposits – Nyssa, Alnus, Betula. of the territory of Belarus in the Late Oligocene and Neogene. 6. Phytocoenosis successions specific to some horizons and revealed as 4. A ratio of the Pinus s/g Haploxylon and Punus s/g Diploxylon pollen: a definite sequence of pollen zones.

VEGETATION AND CLIMATE OF BELARUS IN THE LATE OLIGOCENE AND MIOCENE

Tatyana B. Rylova Institute of Geochemistry and Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Kuprevich str. 7, 220141 Minsk, Belarus, e-mail: [email protected]

Palynological data obtained as a result of studies of Upper Oli- in the composition of vegetation communities of that time testifies that gocene and Neogene deposits of Belarus allow tracing the evolution of the climate was nearly subtropical. In contrast to the optima mentioned forest communities from luxuriant coniferous-deciduous forests with above, the climatic optima of Burnossian (end of Serravalian, Bessarabi- prevailing subtropical plants in the Late Oligocene to coniferous–small an horizon of the Sarmatian) and Losian (corresponding to the thermal leaved forests with an admixture of broad-leaved species in the Late Tortonian transgression and the Meotian regional stage of the Eastern Miocene. Changes of the flora composition and vegetation during the Paratethys) time were described by an absolute domination of Arctoter- Miocene were due to gradual extinction of mostly thermophilic tropical tiary constituents and the mild temperate climate. and subtropical flora constituents and their replacement by less tem- Besides the optima, five climatic deteriorations were distinguished: perature-sensitive and hardy species. This was not, however, a straight 1. corresponding to Early Smoliarka time, i.e. a fall of temperature at the forward, but fluctuating and recurrent process, associated with the cli- beginning of the Aquitanian; mate growing colder in the Late Cenozoic, when the subtropical climate 2. separating two optima of Smoliarka time and corresponding to the of the Oligocene was replaced by the temperate one at certain stages of second half of the Ottnangian – beginning of the Karpatian; the Late Miocene. 3. corresponding to Early Burnossian time and the maximum fall of Repeated oscillations toward warmer or more humid climate took temperature in the Miocene – the Serravalian Middle Miocene crisis place against the background of the general trend to temperature de- in the Tethys and the Volynian cold snap in the Paratethys; crease and xerophytization. 4. separating the climatic optima of Burnossian and Losian time and Four climatic optima were distinguished in the Miocene for the first corresponding to one of the first arrivals of the Late Miocene cold time for the territory of Belarus. Two earlier optima of Smoliarka – begin- snap – Early Tortonian in the Tethys and the beginning of the Pan- ning of Bukcha time corresponding to the Late Eggenburgian-Early Ot- nonian and Khersonian in the Paratethys; tnangian and to the Karpathian-Early Badenian were similar in palaeo- 5. corresponding to Asokian time, i.e. a part of the Pontian age (Messin- climatic characteristics. A high proportion of palaeotropic constituents ian) – an episode of the global fall of temperature.

DISTRIBUTION OF LIME TILIA L. IN THE TERRITORY OF BELARUS FROM PALYNOLOGICAL DATA

Tatyana B. Rylova and Irina E. Savchenko Institute of Geochemistry and Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Kuprevich str. 7, 220141 Minsk, Belarus, e-mail: [email protected]

The pollen of Tilia obviously occurred in the composition of the all over the territory and reached its maximum abundance at the bl 4 Late Oligocene and Early Miocene palynoflora in the territory of Belarus. Quercus-Ulmus-Corylus and bl 5 Quercus-Picea phases (as high as 22 %). However, this pollen was met very rarely. Since the end of the Middle At the bl 6 Pinus-Picea phase this genus was extinet in the territory of Be- Miocene Tilia continuously participated in the flora composition. During larus. Toward the end of the interglacial (phases bl 7 Pinus-Picea-Betula the Neogene the lime was mostly abundant in Pliocene time (up to 4 % – bl 8 Pinus-Betula-Larix) the lime was rarely met in the southwestern of the total pollen content). and eastern regions. The lime probably migrated in this direction be- To study of the lime distribution in the territory of Belarus during cause of the climate growing colder. the Pleistocene, data on variations of this species pollen abundance As can be judged from few data available in Mogilevian time the in chronologically successive pollen zones distinguished within the lime appeared at the mg2 Quercus-Ulmus-Tilia phase and reached its Belovezhian, Mogilevian, Alexandrian and Muravian Interglacials were maximum abundance in the composition of vegetation communities at analyzed. the mg3 Carpinus-Quercus-Alnus phase (up to 23 %). In Belovezhian time the lime appeared for the first time in the terri- In Alexandrian time the lime began to occupy the western and tory of Belarus at the bl 2 Pinus-Betula phase in the eastern, central and southwestern regions at the alk2 Picea-Pinus-Alnus phase. These were southwestern regions. At the bl 3 Quercus-Ulmus phase the lime occured probably the areas where the lime migration started from when the cli-

119 mate became getting warmer. At the alk3 Abies-Carpinus-Quercus and dominant all over the territory. At the mr6 Carpinus-Tilia phase the lime alk4 Abies-Picea phases the participation of lime in forest communities decreased in importance, except the western and southeastern areas remained insignificant (not higher than 8 % in pollen spectra composi- of its occurrence. Subsequently its participation in forest communities tion), and at the alk5 Pinus-Betula-Larix phase the lime pollen was re- became insignificant. An area occupied by lime forests decreased in the vealed in only one of the western sections. Western and southwestern above directions because of a fall of temperature. directions were probably the ways of the lime migration beyond the So, the palynological data available suggest that within the territory limits of Belarus due to a cold snap. of Belarus the lime was an important contributor to the composition of In Muravian time the lime pollen was firstly met at the mr1 Pinus - forest communities during the interglacial intervals of the Pleistocene. Betula-Picea phase in the west and southeast of the territory of Belarus. Tilia reached the maximum of its evolution during the climatic optimum At the subsequent phases the lime pollen increased in abundance in the of the Muravian Interglacial and was much less significant in Belovezhi- forest pollen composition, especially in the southern part of Belarus. an and Mogilevian times. The lime was the least important during the The lime amount reached its maximum in forest communities at the mr5 Alexandrian Interglacial. Tilia-Corylus-Carpinus phase (up to 56 %), when lime forests were pre-

PALYNOLOGY OF THE K ASHAFRUD FORMATION, SOUTHEAST OF MASHHAD, NORTHEASTERN IR AN

Freshteh Sajjadi Department of Geology, University of Tehran, Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6455, Iran, e-mail: [email protected]

Middle Jurassic sediments of the Kashafrud Formation, as exposed ence of Converrucosisporites pricei, Osmundacidites senectus, Murospora southeast of Mashhad (Senjedak and Ghalehsangi sections), northeast- florida, Retitriletes facetus, Sellaspora asperata, Concavissimisporites ver- ern Iran contain moderately diverse and reasonably well preserved rucosus, and Tuberculatosporites westbournensis testifies this age desig- palynofloras of mostly terrestrial origin. Trilete and monolete spores nation. and pollen predominate the assemblages whereas dinoflagellate cysts, Inferred natural relationship of the miospores implies derivation foraminiferal test linings, and fungal spores constitute minor compo- from a diverse parental flora of Pterophyta and gymnosperms such as nents. Coniferophyta, Ginkgophyta and Cycadophyta growing under a humid, Fourty seven species of spores (distributed among 30 genera) and warm temperate condition during the Middle Jurassic (Bajocian-Batho- 15 species of pollen (assigned to 8 genera) are identified from the host nian). strata. Klukisporites and Dictyophyllidites are particularly abundant in the The association of marine fauna (ammonites), and diverse marine study material. palynomorphs (proximate dinoflagellates, acritarchs, and foraminiferal Vertical distribution of sporae dispersae allows introduction of two test lining) with terrestrial palynomorphs (spores and pollen) collective- distinctive stratigraphically successive palynofloras informally termed ly designates an open marine, nearshore depositional setting for the herein, in ascending order, Striatella seebergensis and Contignisporites Kashafrud Formation of the study sections. burgeri range zones dated respectively as Bajocian and Bathonian. Pres-

NOVELTIES ON THE CZECH TERTIARY ANGIOSPERM WOOD FOCUSING ON THE SYSTEMATIC AFFINITY OF ‚PLATANUSLIKE’ WOODS

Jakub Sakala Institute of geology and palaeontology, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

Fossil wood is rather common in the Tertiary of northwestern Bohe- Verneřov) reveal some new types as a wood of Ulmus or that of Mal- mia. Systematically, it belongs mainly to Cupressaceae s.l. Concerning the vaceae s.l. On the other hand, the re-examination of the type material angiosperm wood, it is more frequently found in one area only, in the as well as the new slides show that the taxa recognized earlier were town of Kadaň and its vicinity, which is related to the Oligocene volcan- partly based on artificial differences and some of them should be put ism of the Doupovské hory Mountains. There are eight different types together forming the single ‘natural’ taxon. The same is the case with described by Prakash, Březinová and Bůžek in 1971 thus the locality is the Platanoxylon bohemicum, Plataninium europaeum and Dryoxylon bohe- richest for fossil angiosperm wood in the Czech Republic. micum which seem all to belong to one type of Platanus wood, the exact Recent finds from Kadaň and two new localities (Nechranice, affinity of which remains however uncertain.

NEOGENE LACUSTRINE DIATOMS FROM GREECE LIKUDI, VEGOR A, PROSILIO LOCALITIES  SYSTEMATIC COMPOSITION, ECOLOGICAL FEATURES, PALAEOENVIRONMENT RECONSTRUCTIONS

Nikolai I. Samsonov Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia

First data on the Neogene non-marine diatoms come from the widely used for purposes of continental biostratigraphy and palaeoen- nineteenth century. Since that time, extensive information on the vironmental interpretations. The investigations of Neogene lacustrine systematic composition and evolution of diatoms was obtained. It is diatoms were carried out in different areas of the Earth. However, in-

120 formation on Neogene non-marine diatoms from Greece is still rather – about 15 %. Among them, Staurosira construens, S. construens var. ven- scarce. ter, and Martyana martyi were found to be the most abundant. Taxo- In the present study lacustrine diatoms of the Late Miocene-Early nomic-ecological analysis of the assemblage testifies to the existence of Pliocene age from three Greek localities – Likudi, Vegora, and Prosilio alkaline conditions in this part of freshwater palaeobasin. In the assem- – have been investigated. blage from the upper horizon, the dominant group consists exclusively In Likudi, 54 diatom taxa (11 % centric and 89 % pennate diatoms) of Cyclotella species – Cyclotella castracanei, C. iris, and C. andonensis (up were found. Two freshwater diatom assemblages were revealed. In one to 93 % of the flora). The share of benthic pennate diatoms does not ex- of them, predominance of the planktonic extinct species Aulacosira bel- ceed 3 %. Taxonomic-ecological analysis of this assemblage seems to re- licosa and two species of the genus Tertiariopsis as well as a secondary flect alkaline conditions in the relatively deeper part of the palaeobasin, role of benthic pennate diatoms assume the relatively deeper water part compared to that from the lower horizon. of the paleobasin. In the other assemblage, high abundance of benthic In Prosilio, the diatom valves in the samples investigated were not pennate diatoms (especially Staurosira construens, S. construens var. ven- as well preserved as in those from Likudi and Vegora localities. A total of ter, Martyana martyi, Pseudostaurosira brevistriata, and Synedra ulna with 14 diatom taxa (2 centric and 12 pennate diatom species) were identi- varieties) and a minor role of centric diatoms imply the more shallow fied. Among them, the most abundant diatoms were benthic pennate water part of the ancient basin. The taxonomic-ecological analysis of the diatoms, mainly Staurosira construens, S. construens var. venter, and Mar- assemblages suggests the existence of mesotrophic/eutrophic, alkaline tyana martyi. Centric diatoms (two Cyclotella species) occurred seldom. conditions in the palaeobasin. The analysis of the data obtained from Likudi and Vegora suggests In Vegora, the samples from two horizons – 10 m and 20 m above that, in spite of some differences in the diatom floras studied, the similar- the coal level – were investigated. 51 diatom taxa (20 % centric and 80 % ity of their ecological features reflects their general correspondence in pennate diatoms) were identified. The diatom assemblage from lower palaeoenvironmental conditions – freshwater, alkaline paleobasins. The horizon is mainly represented by the genus Cyclotella – C. castracanei, age of the diatom floras is also similar – the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene. C. iris, and C. andonensis, and a fossil Actinocyclus species – Actinocy- The poor preservation of diatom valves in Prosilio locality does not al- clus makarovae. The share of benthic pennate species is also essential low making any substantiated assumption on the palaeoenvironment.

FRONDS OF THE LOWER CARBONIFEROUS SEED FERN BUTEOXYLON GORDONIANUM; A MODEL FOR SPERMATOPHYTE LEAF EVOLUTION

Heather L. Sanders1 and Gar W. Rothwell1 1 Dept. Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens OH 45701, USA, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Integrated studies of paleobotany and developmental genetics pro- polymorpha, and other ancestral spermatophytes such as Moresnetia, Pitus, vide new perspectives on the evolution of fundamental plant form. The and Diplopteridium. A cruciately forking system appears to be the ances- frond of Buteoxylon gordonianum from Oxroad Bay is particularly en- tral architecture of the axes that gave rise to spermatophyte leaves. Using lightening for understanding the evolution of stem-leaf organography Buteoxylon as a basis for comparison with the morphology of more derived in seed plants. The shoots have helical phyllotaxis and consist of regions leaves, the sequence of steps in the evolution of leaves is identified. The of dense frond production separated by regions of long internodes. The most ancient fronds illustrate the pattern of character changes that result frond consists of terete axes that dichotomize equally and unequally in from specific developmental alterations. Characters that define leaves a cruciate fashion to form a three dimensional organ that resembles the include determinacy and ad/abaxial identity. The frond of Buteoxylon is above ground axes of the whisk fern Psilotum nudum. The frond dichot- a basically radial organ, with architecture reminiscent of ancestral systems omizes sparsely at the base and densely at the distal end, with an angle of of axes, but is much smaller than the shoot. The structure of the frond sug- about 90o between successive branchings. This basic architecture is also gests that the first step in the evolution of the frond of spermatophytes reflected in the fronds of the most ancient reconstructed seed fern, Elkinsia was determinacy and ab/adaxial identity is a more derived character.

XYLOTOMIC EVIDENCE FOR FOUR NEW LATE TRIASSIC TREE SPECIES

Rodney A. Savidge University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 6C2, Canada, e-mail: [email protected]

Thin sections of bole wood from permineralized logs in the vicinity spaces and circumferentially distributed isodiametric, mostly abietinoid of Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA, yielded evi- bordered pits. The rounded tracheids have three secondary wall lay- dence for four new woody species, viz. Arboramosa semicircumtrachea n. ers and therefore do not qualify as compression wood. The stem base gen. n. sp. (Family uncertain), Protocupressinoxylon arizonica n. sp. (Family of this log is fluted, similar to extant trees within Cupressaceae, and. Cheirolepidiaceae), Protopiceoxylon novus n. sp. (Family Protopinaceae), regularly distributed branch stubs egress from the stem surface within and Gingoxylpropinquus hewardii n. gen. n. sp. (Family Ginkgoaceae). Sys- axially oriented fusiform-shaped depressions, similar to those on older tematic descriptions of these four were provided in A Century of Research stems of Modern Juniperus spp. It is proposed that A. semicircumtrachea at Petrified Forest National Park: Geology and Paleontology (Museum of represents a new family, and possibly a new order, of gymnosperm. Northern Arizona Bull. No. 62, edited by W. G. Parker, S. R. Ash and R. B. In cross section the pycnoxylic secondary xylem of Protocupressi- Irmis, 2006, pp 65–81 and 147–149). The holotype slides are stored in the noxylon arizonica n. sp. displays fully circumferential growth rings hav- Petrified Forest National Park fossil collection under catalog numbers ing mostly angular early- and late-wood tracheids, thin-walled axial pa- PEFO 34160, 35348, 35349 and 34356, respectively. renchyma, normally homo- but occasionally hetero-cellular uniseriate Arboramosa semicircumtrachea n. gen. n. sp. pycnoxylic wood has to partially biseriate short rays, and infrequent steeply inclined cupres- homocellular, thin-walled, uniseriate, short and widely spaced rays and soid cross-field pits. Radial walls of P. arizonica tracheids exhibit long uniformly thick-walled longitudinal tracheids, but it evidently has no chains of uniseriate contiguous or non-contiguous abietinoid bordered precedent in the fossil record in also displaying, in cross section, trac- pits, oblate when contacting. heids that are rounded or semi-rounded with abundant intercellular Protopiceoxylon novus n. sp. displays what is interpreted as an early

121 version of the longitudinal resin canal scattered sporadically within the dant, uniseriate, rarely partially bi-seriate, from 1–16 cells in height, with pycnoxylic secondary xylem. In cross section the tracheids are angular, single-celled rays common. The ray cells are inflated wtih 2–3 inclined and in longitudinal section uniseriate contiguous or non-contiguous cupressoid pits per cross field. Bordered pits are mostly spaced, abietin- chains of abietinoid bordered pits are equi-diameter in both radial and oid and occur as long uniseriate and alternating or opposite biseriate tangential walls. The short, often single-celled rays are widely spaced chains, crassulae evidently being present. and may be either homo- or hetero-cellular with infrequent, steeply in- These observations indicate that during Late Triassic times in this clined cupressoid cross-field pitting. region, conifers, ginkgophytes and other trees having abietinoid wood The pycnoxylic secondary xylem of Gingoxylpropinquus hewardii co-existed with trees having araucoid secondary xylem. The research n. gen. n. sp. contains oft-disorganized tracheid radial files and angu- has emphasized the need for better diagnostic indicators to distinguish lar to rounded tracheids of varied tangential diameter. Rays are abun- Mesozoic ginkgo and conifer woods.

PALYNOLOGY OF KOPILI FORMATION LATE EOCENE EXPOSED ALONG UMRONGSOHAFLONG ROAD, NORTH CACHAR HILLS, ASSAM, INDIA

Ramesh K. Saxena1 and Gyanendra K. Trivedi1 1 Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow – 226 007, India, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

A rich palynofloral assemblage has been recovered from the Kopili records the occurrence of reworked Early Triassic palynomorphs. Their Formation along Umrongso-Haflong Road, near Umrongso, North Ca- occurrence in the Late Eocene sediments has also been discussed. The char Hills, Assam, India. The palynofora consists of fungal and pterido- present day distribution of the extant counterparts of the palynotaxa phytic spores and gymnosperm and angiosperm pollen. The important indicates presence of tropical to subtropical (warm-humid) climate dur- constituents of the assemblage are Cyathidites, Lygodiumsporites, Mono- ing the deposition of Kopili Formation. On the basis of palynofloral com- lites, Polypodiaceaesporites, Polypodiisporites, Striatriletes, Pinuspollenites, parison Late Eocene age has been assigned to the Kopili Formation. Lanagiopollis, Retitrescolpites, Tricolpites etc.. The present study also

PRESERVATION OF PLANTS BY VOLCANIC PROCESSES

Andrew C. Scott Geology Department, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

Plant fossils may be very common in volcanic rocks, from lavas to 4 hours so that reflectance may be used as a temperature proxy for py- ashes and deposits of hot spring systems. They may be preserved as roclastic flow deposits. All these charcoalified plants show excellent ana- compressions, impressions, permineralizations and petrifactions, as tomical preservation as seen under SEM. Charcoalified plants from block well as charcoal. The plants may be transported or preserved in situ and ash deposits may be reworked by lahars. In some cases they may be and associated with a wide range of volcanic composition, from acid to transported into the sea. They may be reworked in to beach deposits. In basic. This presentation reviews recent research on the preservation of these cases the charcoalified logs may remain in tact and may be easily plants by recent volcanic activity and the preservation of plants in fossil distinguished from wildfire charcoals by their shapes and sizes. volcanic rocks. The Kilauea Volcano is an active inter-plate basaltic shield volcano The continuing eruption of the andesitic Soufrière Hills volcano, on on the Island of Hawaii in the Pacific. The volcano is clothed in vegetation the tropical Island of Montserrat, British West Indies, is related to the sub- dominated by the angiosperm tree Ohia and tree ferns. Lava eruptions duction of the Atlantic plate beneath the Caribbean Plate. The eruption may engulf this forest and surround the trees. The lava is over 1200 °C on has produced large lava domes that have collapsed and generated py- contact with the trees. The lava solidifies around the trees and the tree roclastic flows and surges. In addition, explosive eruptions have gener- may be partially charred, completely charred or destroyed depending ated widespread air fall ash as well as hot pyroclastic surges and flows on size and moisture content of the trunk. Subsequent degassing of the from column collapse. Plants may be charred by hot pyroclastic surges. In lava allows the preservation of ‘Lava trees’. the case of trees, these may show superficial charring on the side of the Studies of modern sinter deposits from hydrothermal springs have tree nearest the volcanic vent. Temperatures may range from 300–800 °C failed to show the fidelity of vascular plant anatomical preservation and the plants exposed to these temperatures for a few minutes. Herba- seen in fossil deposits. Examples will be illustrated from the Rotorua de- ceous vegetation, plant litter and the soil surface may be also heated and posits in New Zealand. the plants preserved as charcoal. Thin surge deposits may preserve this Using examples from the fossil record (Devonian to Sub-Recent) the charcoalified herbaceous vegetation. Plants may also be entombed by range of plant preservation by a spectrum of volcanic process will be hot ash and block flows from pyroclastic flows that may remain hot, over reviewed including compression/impression assemblages in pyroclastic 300 °C for several months. Charcoalified upright trunks and logs are often fall deposits, calcareous permineralizations in basaltic lava and lahar de- preserved. The logs, which may be more than 0.5 m in diameter, are char- posits and siliceous petrifactions associated with hot-spring sinters. coalified throughout. Experimental charcoalification studies of woods, Volcanic terrains, it will be demonstrated, far from be areas to avoid, at varying temperatures and times, have shown rising reflectance with may actively be sought as a potential source of informative and interest- both temperature and time. However, reflectance stabilizes after around ing fossil plants.

122 ACRITARCH ASSOCIATIONS OF THE MIDDLE DEVONIAN SANTA LUCÍA FORMATION CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS, N SPAIN

Marion Sehnert1, Annette E. Götz1 and Katrin Ruckwied1 1 Institute of Geosciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099 Halle (Saale), Germany

Palaeozoic acritarch assemblages of the Cantabrian Mountains (NW miospores and a broad-spectrum acritarch association, including such Spain) have, so far, been described from siliciclastic dominated succes- genera as Exochoderma, Gorgoniosphaeridium, Polyedryxium, Stellinium, sions of Silurian and Devonian ages. This article presents the first paly- Cymatiosphaera, Duvernaysphaera, Multiplicisphaeridium, Oppilatala, nological data from the Middle Devonian carbonates of the Santa Lucía Ammonidium, Quadraditum, Dictyotidium, Florisphaeridium, Diexallo- Formation. The studied Argovejo section is located in the Esla region, phasis and Palacanthus. NE of León. The overall sedimentary series exposes the complete forma- The excellent preservation of the palynomorphs and their high di- tion, documenting the evolution from a rimmed to a distally steepened versity serve as a basis for a detailed palynofacies analysis of the plat- platform. form carbonates. Ongoing studies focus on stratigraphic and lateral The carbonates investigated are rich in sedimentary organic matter. variations of acritarch associations of the Santa Lucía Formation with Palynofacies is dominated by both terrestrial phytoclasts and degraded respect to the transgressive-regressive evolution of the depositional organic particles. Subtidal bioclastic wacke-packstones yield numerous system.

CARBONIFEROUS SPIDERS

Paul A. Selden School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom And Department of Palaeontology, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

Some two dozen specimens of supposed spiders have been report- This presentation surveys the known Carboniferous specimens re- ed in the literature over the last 130 years. Study of all of these has shown ferred to Araneae at one tim eor another. The spider-like forms lacking that few stand up to close scrutiny as genuine spiders. Some, indeed, are spinnerets deserve particular mention, in the light of recent discover- true spiders, belonging to the primitive order Mesothelae (Devonian- ies of the first Permian spiders and new morphological interprations Recent). Many appear to be spiders but lack appropriate synapomor- of Devonian forms. One particularly spectacular specimen originally phies, such as spinnerets. Some belong to other arachnid orders, such referred to Araneae, Megarachne, has turned out to be not a spider but as Opiliones, while others are not arachnids at all. a bizarre, giant eurypterid!

SILICIFIED WOOD FROM THE NEOGENE OF THE NORTH ALPINE MOLASSE FORELAND

Alfred Selmeier Department für Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften, Sektion Paläontologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 München, Germany

During the orogeny of the Alps, the northern foreland developed The Xyloflora southern Franconian Alb: Cupressaceae, Podo- into an elongate depression, termed the Molasse Basin. Early and Mid- carpaceae, Taxodiaceae; Anacardiaceae, Capparaceae, Elaeagna ceae, dle Miocene deposits in the North Alpine Foreland Basin have preserved Fagaceae, Hamamelidaceae?, Icacinaceae, Juglandaceae, Lauraceae, Le- one of the world’s richest regional records of silicified wood. Between guminosae (Mimosoideae, Papilionoideae), Meliaceae, Periplocaceae, 1955 and 1990, more than 11 000 specimens of permineralized wood Platanaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Sapotaceae, Tiliaceae, Ulmaceae; Are- were collected from some 490 localities in southern Bavaria by Reinhard caceae (Palmae). These fossils predominantly occur in sandy or loamy Baumgartner, Ludwig Fruth, Heinz Haberda, Peter Holleis, Ludwig Lang, sediments close to the surface, and were collected from farmland and Alfred Selmeier, among others. The largest portion of this material is de- waysides. Permineralized roots have not been recorded to date. 640 posited in the Bavarian State Collection of Palaeontology and Geology, growth rings from15 different taxa show a variability of ring width be- Munich. The size of the wood specimens ranges from tiny pieces, to fist- tween 0.2 and 6.9 mm (mean 0.6–4.6 mm). size length, and to large trunk fragments, 0.6 m in diameter (750 kg). Special features of the wood specimens include insect feeding Of the 11 000 specimens, some 1 000 have been analyzed to date. channels filled with coprolites, wood xylem with small roots of un- These specimens belong to 80 wood anatomical taxa, and come from known plants, tile cells in the ray cellular composition, the earliest 61 stratigraphically well-dated localities by using the Coexistence Ap- record of mineralized disjunctive ray parenchyma cell walls, a feature proach. A database is grouped into four xylofloras: (1) Ortenburg; Late with only 1.16 % extant frequency (IAWA anatomical feature No. 113). In Ottnangian, (2) Southern Franconian Alb; Late Karpatian, (3) Older Se- addition, a few silicified Tempskya stem portions have been discovered ries; Early Badenian, (4) Middle Series; Middle Badenian. in reworked sediments of Bavaria. The Xyloflora Ortenburg (gravel pit Rauscheröd): Gymnspermae; Unfortunately, no critical synopsis of the silicified wood from the Bombacaceae, Ebenaceae, Ericaceae, Fagaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Laura- North Alpine Molasse Basin is available to date. This, however, would ceae, Meliaceae, Myricaceae, Platanaceae, Tiliaceae; Arecaceae (Pal- provide a basis for comparisons of the xylofloras to the copious leaf, mae). seed, fruit, and pollen record that exists from this area.

123 MIDDLE ALBIAN FERNS FROM VALLE DEL RÍO MARTÍN TERUEL, SPAIN

Luis M. Sender1, Javier Ferrer1, Uxue Villanueva-Amadoz1, José B. Diez2 and Denise Pons3 1 Dpt. de Ciencias de la Tierra (Paleontología), Universidad de Zaragoza. C/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12. 50009 Zaragoza, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Dpt. Xeociencias Mariñas e Ordenación do Territorio, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain 3 Paléobotanique et Paléoécologie / Paléodiversité, Systématique, Évolution des Embryophytes, UMR-CNRS 5143, Université P. et M. Curie Paris VI, 12 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France

A diverse and abundant Albian palaeoflora located at Valle del Río cf. Phlebopteris polypodioides, Phlebopteris sp. and cf Aninopteris formo- Martín comprises representatives of angiosperms, gymnosperms and sa), Dicksoniaceae (Coniopteris hymenophylloides and Onychiopsis sp. pteridophytes that indicate a mixture of European and American taxa. cf. Onychiopsis paradoxus), Schizaeaceae (cf. Anemia dicksonioides and The latests are similar to those found and described by Fontaine and cf. Klukia canadensis), Gleicheniaceae (Gleicheniaceaphyllum falcatum, Doyle and Hickey of the Potomac Group in the USA. Gleichenites porsildii and Gleichenites sp.) and other taxa of incertae se- The outcrop is located in the northeast of Spain, in the central sec- dis, just as different morphogenus of Cladophlebis (Cladophlebis acuta, tor of the Aragonian Branch of the Iberian Range, within the Escucha Cladophlebis falcata, Cladophlebis oblongifolia and Cladophlebis browni- Formation. This formation represents a regressive megasequence that ana), sphenopterids (Sphenopteris latiloba and Sphenopteris brulensis), accumulated by progradation of a ´deltaic/estuarine system’. The fern and three species of acrostichopterids (Acrostichopteris adiantifolia, remains are fairly abundant in the upper member, constituted by sedi- Acrostichopteris foliosa and Acrostichopteris longipennis). After the fossil ments deposited in fluvial and paludal environments without marine record of the genus Acrostichopteris from the east of the USA, it consti- influence. tutes the second more complete record described worldwide with re- This wide variety and abundance of taxa belong to the Pterido- gard to the number of species of this genus in a single outcrop. phyte Division, is the richest association found at the moment in the The ferns are distributed in several stratigraphic levels which are dis- early Cretaceous of Spain. The remains are fossilized as impressions and tinguished by their composition and by the quantity and variety of the less commonly by compressions of pinnae, that include representatives associations within. These associations indicate a subtropical climate or of the families Matoniaceae (Weichselia reticulata, Matonidium goepperti, almost locally subhumid climate in the Middle Albian of Spain.

SEED ATTACHMENT IN PALAEOZOIC PTERIDOSPERMS  A REVIEW

Leyla J. Seyfullah1 and Jason Hilton1 1 School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

The attachment of seeds to fern-like foliage forms the essential ba- a small number of taxa that lack a cupule and any other kind of sur- sis upon which the pteridosperm (seed fern) concept was established rounding vegetative structure and comprise of ovules born terminally by Oliver and Scott in 1904. However, to date remarkably few examples on dichotomous branching systems. In contrast, a larger number of taxa are known that convincingly demonstrate ovules in organic attachment occur in which seeds are attached directly to fern-like leaves (as is in- to the parent plant, with the majority of Palaeozoic ovules, including herent to the pteridosperm concept itself) such as the Callistophytalean many of those produced by pteridosperms, being known only in their pteridosperms. The pteridosperm groups to be discussed include Sphe- isolated state. This talk will present a critical analysis of the modes of nopterid, Eremopterid, Neuropterid, Alethopterid, Callipterid, Callisto- ovule attachment in observed in Palaeozoic pteridosperms, and will in- phytalean and Taeneopterid pteridosperms, with these groups typically clude reinvestigation of previously published accounts combined with (but not always) being defined on characters of the vegetative remains. analysis of previously undocumented specimens in a variety of preser- Discounted reports of seed attachment will also be included, from which vational modes. it is clear that several of the previously published accounts represent su- Within pteridosperms, many of the previously recognised taxa con- perimposition of one (typically ovulate) specimen on top of an underly- form to cupulate modules of ovule bearing structures, in which multi- ing (typically foliar) specimen. Systematic and phylogenetic significance ple ovules are borne within a generally (but not exclusively) vegetative of the observed variation in ovule bearing structures within seed plants cupule. Other ways in which pteridosperm ovules are attached to the is considered, and the relevance of the organisation and structure of parent plant are in generally less comprehensively known, but include seed bearing organs within seed plant evolution reconsidered.

LEVELS OF EVENTS IN THE CONTINENTAL DEPOSITS OF NEOGENE OF THE EASTERN PAR ATHETYS ACCORDING TO PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY

Vera G. Shpul Faculty of Geology, Voronezh State University, University square 1, Voronezh 394006, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Stratigraphically the levels of the flora changes are more important and Taxodiaceae (Sequoia, Metasequoia, Taxodium, Glyptostrobus), vari- than the levels of appearance of new plant groups. The obtained numer- ous Amentiferae – Popolus, Comptonia, Juglans, Carya, Pterocarya, Alnus, ous palynological materials are very important for solving one of the Betula, Carpinus, Fagus, Castanea, Quercus, Ulmus, Zelkova, Celtis, Magno- urgent problems – that of identifying the process of formation, develop- lia, Cercidiphyllum, Liquidambar, Hamamelis, Nelumbo, Ailanthus, Eucom- ment and transformation of the flora that inhabits temperate warm and mia, Phellodendron, Acer, Rhus, Tilia, Fraxinus etc. etc. moist climate that is close to the present flora in its generic composition. For the Neogene of the paleo-Don basin, the identification of the This type of the flora with a definite set of genera of arboreal gymno- regional stratigraphic units was made according to the legend of the sperm and deciduous broad-leaved angiosperm plants was called the Voronezh map series. Within it the basis of the Lower Miocene is the “Turgayskaya flora” by A. N. Kryshtofovich. The generic composition of Sivashsky subhorizon, the middle part – is the Baichurovsky subhori- the Turgayskaya flora included Pinaceae (Pinus, Tsuga, Abies, Pseudolarix) zon; the basis of the Middle Miocene is the Kamennobrodsky, Uvarovsky

124 (analogues of the Chokrak – Karagan, possibly of Tarkhan) horizons. In are typical in small amounts for this type of flora. It is also character- the Middle Miocene deposits, there occur the Tambovsky, Gurovsky ized by great diversity of genera within one family and of species within and Gorelkynsky horizons. They are regional analogues of the Konka, one genus. This fact confirms optimal climatic conditions in which the Lower-Middle Sarmatian and the end of Middle-Upper Sarmatian, re- flora under consideration occurred. This is the final phase of the Middle spectively. Miocene climatic optimum of the flora development of the “Turgaysky” The Sivashsky subhorizon, Baychurovsky, Kamennobrodsky horizons ecological type. – repeated attempts to discover palynomorphs were not successful. The Tambovsky, Gurovsky, and Gorelkyncky horizons – approach- The Uvarovsky horizon – participation of angiosperm arboreal el- ing cooling and continentalization of climate caused gradual replacing ements in the palynoflora is significant. This flora is characterized by of broad-leaved-deciduous by coniferous forests with significance pine great diversity (180 taxons) of deciduous broadleaved trees, gymno- dominance. This specific formation developed on upland. By Gorelkyn- sperm, by the abundance of head- and moist-loving in that number of sky time, evergreen, subtropical, and many warm-loving broad-leaved broadleaved-deciduous aboreal plants of the families Fagaceae, Jug- deciduous plants disappeared. The flora of the “Turgaysky” ecological landaceae, Ulmaceae, Betulaceae. A number of genera and species of type eliminated at the end of Late Miocene, giving way to a new type subtropical, tropical evergreen, deciduous and extinct taxons of formal of the boreal flora. This new type of flora is characterized by significant genera that were derived from the ecotone with the subtropical zone participation of cold-loving pine and small-deciduous aboreal plants.

PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHY OF THE LOWER NEOPLEISTOCENE PREGLACIAL ALLUVIUM IN THE MIDDLE DON BASIN

Vera G. Shpul1 and Gennadiy V. Kholmovoy1 1 Faculty of Geology, Voronezh State University, University square 1, Voronezh 394006, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The study is based on the materials dealing with the Lower Neo- I SPC: Pine forests with the admixture of Picea, Tsuga, Abies. Some de- pleistocene (parts of Srednerusskay, Kalach Hills and Tambov low land). ciduous species Quercus, Ulmus, Tilia, Corylus are common. II SPC: The The stratigraphic scheme of the Central Russia Lower Neopleistocene formation of this flora took place in periglacial conditions. This is con- was worked out by R.V. Krasnenkov. He distinguished three more climat- firmed by poor, depressed and scanty composition of pine-larch-birch, ic horizons below Don glacial horizon: Petropavlovsky, Pokrovsky and sparse growth of trees and by development of bushes Betula nana, Ilyinsky ones. Detailed studies of these deposits allowed R.V.Krasnenkov Alnaster fruticosus, Salix sp. and willow bed formation. Among herbs to distinguish four thermochrons under the Donian deposits (Petropav- families Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae prevail. III SPC characterizes the lovsky, Troitcky, Ternovsky, Moiseevsky) which are divided by three phase of forest-steppe development with the dominance of open veg- cryochrons (Pokrovsky, Koleshnyansky, Rostushsky). Their age was con- etation of Poaceae and Chenopodiaceae-Artemisia communities within firmed by the remains of small mammals, molluscs, by paleomagnetic the areas of mixed fir-cedar-pine-deciduous forests with participation and spore-pollen (SP) data. We adhere to this point of view. of birch. Taking into consideration the obtained data it is possible to In the area of investigation preglacial alluvium is reserved in the say about the accordance of I SPC to the Troitcky thermochron (bottom deeply cut buried Don Valley. Petropavlovsky horizon marks the begin- of Kalach suite); that of II SPC to the Koleshnyansky cryochron (tops of ning of Neopleistocene. On the basis of faunal data climatic situation Kalach suite); that of III SPC to the Ternovsky thermochron (bottom of of this time may be estimated as temperate, close to the present one. Veretyevskay suite). Pokrovsky – has not been discovered in our investigation. Ilyinsky hori- The upper part. We have discovered IV and V SPC. IV SPC confirms zon is characterized by distinct binomial separation. The section begins the increase of open steppe with Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae. V SPC is with the interglacial rhythm, which is confirmed by I SP complex (C). The characterized by the dominance of gymnosperm pollen family Pinaceae second SPC is the evidence of cooling; it is followed by III interglacial and only pine pollen. This complex represents the warm interglacial ep- (postoptimal) one. Palynocomplex IV is characterized by insignificant och. When comparing the complexes under investigation with the ones cooling, changing into another warming – V SPC. So, the section is char- described in literature it is possible to conclude that IV SPC corresponds acterized by three warm and two cold epochs. to the Rostuchsky cryochron (tops of Veretievskay suite); whereas V SPC The lower part of Ilyinsky horizon is characterized by three SPC. corresponds to Vershynsky thermochron (Moiseevskaya suite).

PALYNOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF EARLY CRETACEOUS  CENOMANIAN CLIMATES AND THE ADVENT OF ANGIOSPERMS IN SOUTHERN PRIMORYE, RUSSIAN FAR EAST

Alexandra Shuklina Institute of Biology and Soil Science, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690022, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The Razdolninskiy Basin of southern Primorye is a large intraconti- mained within the humid subtropical zone through the Early Creta- nental depressed area back of the rising Sikhote-Alin’ belt. The basin fill ceous times. Up to the late Aptian, the changes were due to a spread consists of the coal-bearing Barremian-Aptian cyclothems overlain by of the peat-building plant communities, primarily, the taxodiaceous the tuffaceous Albian-Cenomanian deposits. The age assignments are bog forests and the fern-cycadophyte marshlands. Major changes based on the plant macrofossils, palynology and correlation with the have occurred across the Aptian/Albian boundary, with the advent of adjacent Partiznskiy Basin to the east, containing marine intercalations angiosperms that coincided with the abrupt cessation of peat accumu- in the upper part of the coal-bearing sequence. lation and the increase of tuffaceous material. The ratios of the first ap- Seven successive pollen assemblages are recognized and correlated pearances and extinctions at the species and generic levels suggest an over the Razdolninskiy Basin. Their distinguishing features reflect the acceleration of macroevolutionary developments. floristic evolution events coincident with or enhanced by, the climate Significant for reconstruction of climate changes are the quan- change, sedimentation, swamping and volcanic activity. The area re- titative representation curves for the tree ferns (the Cyatheaceae and

125 Dicksoniaceae) with a prominent peak in the late Aptian (mean 31.6 %), patchily represented by groups of three – four pollen morphotypes in followed by a gradual decline through the Albian (19.3–26.6 % and an a few early Albian assemblages. abrupt decline in the early Cenomanian (12.9 %). The ginkgoalean pollen At the western Pacific margin, angiosperms appeared later than (“Ginkgocycadophytus”) shows three consecuitive modal values: about further inland, supposedly because of a longer persistence of the fern- 1 % in the Barremian-Aptian, 3.8 % through the Albian, and 13.5 % in the cycadophyte marshes, which in the intracontinental areas of central – early Cenomanian. The bissacate pollen increases at the same level to eastern Asia were reduced in the Neocomian already. Early angiosperms 25.6 % against 0.7–14.7 % over the Early cretaceous sequence. failed to penetrate the peat-forming communities of Razdolninskiy Thus, the changes in the basinal plant communities at the Albian- Basin. They entered lowland plant communities only when the latter Cenomanian boundary, accompanying the advent of angiosperms, were were disrupted by volcanism and the accompanying climate change. a decrease of the fern-cycadophyte marshland diversity, mainly owing The simultaneous increase of pinaceous conifers and ginkgophytes, to a decline or elimination of their matoniaceous, gleicheniaceous and an upland element in the subtropical zone, suggests a downslope shift cyatheaceous components, and a sharp rise of pollen contribution of altitudinal vegetation belts, which is usually associated with cooling by the gynkgophytes and pinaceous conifers. The angiosperms were trends.

DIAGNOSTIC CHAR ACTERS IN UNSCULPTURED TRILETE SPORES OF MESOZOIC FERNS

Alexandra Shuklina1 and Svetlana Polevova2 1 Institute of Biology and Soil Science, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690022, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Biological Department, Moscow State University, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Electron microscopy of fossil fern spores is still rather occasional some of them come form dispersed or occasionally shed sporangia and than systematic. Yet such studies are our last hope in deducing sys- can be immature. tematic affinities from morphology of dispersed spores. One of the One of the advantages of SEM is that all faces of spore surface can nastiest problems of paleopalynology is the notorious similarity of be studied in detail. Our study of in situ spores of an Early Cretaceous smooth trilete spores produced by Mesozoic representatives of the fern Alsophyllites nipponensis (Oishi) Krassilov suggests that the curva- Gleicheniaceae, Matoniaceae, Weichseliaceae, Cyatheaceae and Dick- ture morphology of lateral aspects is potentially significant for classifi- soniaceae when studied with light microscopy alone. Sculptured cation of cyatheaceous spores. Here the spore wall increases toward the spores, e.g. of schizaeaceous ferns, are easier to handle and they are periphery, which is most evident in TEM sections, whereas in gleichenia- widely used for stratigraphic correlation. Yet, paleopalynologists tend ceous ferns it may be thicker at the proximal pole. to ignore the fact, that unsculptured spores also occur in this latter Spores with sculptured perispore often appear smooth, because mentioned family and, on the other hand, some cyatheaceous spore the less resistant perispores (providing most important diagnostic morphotypes, in particular those with ridged sculpturing, can easily characters in the Cyatheaceae, for example) rarely withstand standard pass for schizaeaceous ones. maceration. However, the basal layer of perispore is sometimes fused to In smooth spores, the diagnostic characters are the laesural mostly, the mesospore to form the resistant spore surface and, in such cases, is such as the bordered/unbordered Y-marks, at least partly dependable discernible under SEM and TEM. Mesospore stratification gave few diag- on dimensions and packing of spore tetrads in sporangia, as well as on nostic characters so far, but the distinctiveness and the relative devel- the thickness of the mesospore and, therefore, changing with spore opment of the outer and inner mesospore and the variously expressed maturation. The dispersed spores are generally considered mature, but porosity of the latter may prove to be of certain systematic value.

RESINPRESERVED MICROORGANISMS OF MESOZOIC AND CENOZOIC AMBER FORESTS, THEIR TAPHONOMY AND PALAEOECOLOGY

Alexander R. Schmidt Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Mesozoic and Cenozoic fossil resins may contain microinclusions of ceous testaceans have been recorded from Mesozoic forestal habitats. bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoans. In fact, almost every fossil resin The taphonomy of microorganisms in resin differs to that of ar- has inclusions of bacteria and fungal hyphae since they are easily able thropods and higher plant remnants which largely became attached to to grow into the liquid resin. Others, such as algae and protozoans are contact zones of successive resin outflows. The mode of preservation more rarely preserved in amber, however, several taxa may be associated of some fungi in amber can be explained by growth and sporulation in one piece of resin which solidified in species-rich microhabitats. Often within liquid resin. Actualistic-palaeontological studies in the laboratory different stages of development are visible and particularly the excellent and in tropical coniferous forests revealed that microorganisms were se- conservation of cells including cell organelles of soft-bodied organisms is lectively fossilized as the resin entered their microhabitats. Motile mi- remarkable. Investigation of the microbial taphocoenoses in amber there- croorganisms (fagellate algae, ciliates) and those who can grow into the fore allows to get insights into (1) the evolutionary history of soft-bodied resin (filiform bateria, fungi) are more predestined for fossilisation than microorganisms; (2) ontogeny and mode of life of ancient algae and fungi; those who can only be engulfed by resin (amoebae, non-motile algae). (3) microcoenoses and palaeoecology of amber forests. Wet bark and phytotelmata of the resin-bearing trees or aquatic and Apart from protozoans, new representatives of slime moulds, true soil habitats on the forest floor were possible microhabitats. fungi, chlorophytes and conjugatophytes became known in the last I thank H. Dörfelt (Halle), L. Krienitz (Neuglobsow), U. Schäfer (Jena) couple of years. The sometimes natural preservation of soft-bodied mi- and W. Schönborn (Jena) for discussion on the systematics of microinclu- croorganisms often allows direct comparison to extant taxa. This reveals sions, the amber collectors V. Arnold (Heide), U.-Ch. Bauer (Schliersee), that taxa that are morphologically assignable to extant species as well as Ch. and H. W. Hoffeins (Hamburg), D. Teuber (Gütersloh) and J. Wunder- such with archaic features occurred in the amber forests. But in contrast lich (Hirschberg) for cooperation, D. Dilcher (Gainesville) and K. Schultz to the Cenozoic not all abundant modern groups like diatoms and sili- (Jena) for advice, and the German Research Foundation for support.

126 CENOZOIC MATONIACEAE FROM EUROPEAN AMBER

Alexander R. Schmidt1 and Heinrich Dörfelt2 1 Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Martin-Luther-Universität Halle, Institut für Geobotanik und Botanischer Garten, Neuwerk 21, D-06099 Halle/Saale, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

The first evidence of fossil Cenozoic Matoniaceae was recently ceous. The previous lack of Cenozoic fossil records, however, suggested obtained from Baltic amber (47–38 Ma) and from Bitterfeld amber (ca. a very early formation of the extant equatorial area in South-East Asia 24 Ma). Inclusions of indusia, sporangia and spores reveal that repre- which comprises four species. The new finds from the European Palaeo- sentatives of this archaic fern family occurred in European amber forests gene temperate to subtropical forests show that the Matoniaceae be- in the Eocene and in the uppermost Oligocene. came restricted to their tropical relict area during the Neogene and not The amber-preserved indusia show close similarities to those of during the Late Cretaceous or Palaeogene as indicated by the previous the extant genera Matonia and Phanerosorus. They are centrally stalked fossil record. and umbrella-shaped to almost hemispheric and have a membranous We thank the amber collectors V. Arnold (Heide), Ch. and H. W. Hof- involute margin. Their diameter ranges between 1.1 and 2.0 mm and the feins (Hamburg), B. and G. Krumbiegel (Halle/Saale) and B. Striebich height between 0.3 and 1.0 mm. (Buxtehude) for cooperation, J. H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert The Matoniaceae are already known from the Middle Triassic and (Utrecht) and K. Schultz (Jena) for advice, and the German Research they were widespread especially during the Jurassic and Early Creta- Foundation for support.

PALAEOECOLOGICAL AND AND PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHIC ASPECTS OF PALYNOMORPH ASSEMBLAGES FROM THE PALAEOGENE OF SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Eckart Schrank1 and Samson I. Bankole1 1 Institut für Angewandte Geowissenschaften, TU Berlin, Sekr. EB10, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, D-10587 Berlin, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Palaeogene sediments are widespread in subsurface and surface sec- tenuispinosum, Ifecysta pachyderma and Palaeocystodinium australinum. tions of the Dahomey Basin in southwest Nigeria. The base of the local Pal- The combined ranges of these dinoflagellate cysts are consistent with aeogene succession is formed by the fossiliferous limestones of the Ewe- a late Paleocene to early Eocene age of the Oshosun Formation. This age koro Formation which are overlain by dark grey shales and mudstones of coincides with a global thermal event known as late Paleocene thermal the Oshosun Formation while the top of the series is represented by the maximum (LPTM), initial Eocene thermal maximum (IETM) or perhaps Ilaro Sandstone. The present palynological investigations aimed at gain- most commonly as Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM). The ing new evidence on the age and palaeoenvironmental setting of the lat- nearly world-wide radiation of the thermophilic dinoflagellate cyst ge- ter formation. For this purpose a number of surface and subsurface sam- nus Apectodinium has been linked previously to this event. ples were studied derived from three sections along a transect of about Species of Apectodinium and Homotryblium have also been used to 120 km from the Sagamu Quarry in the east to the boreholes IB10 and IL3 suggest neritic, near-shore and reduced or fluctuating salinity conditions. in the west near the border to neighbouring Benin Republic. Towards the In the studied sections this is supported by the occasional appearance of west the thickness of the Oshosun Formation increases from about 18 m freshwater algae such as Ovoidites and Debarya (Zygnemataceae). in the Sagamu Quarry to 131 m in the IL3 borehole. The relative abundance of terrestrially-derived palynomorphs in- Palynomorph assemblages will be presented in the form of range creases from east to west. Among the pollen and spores encountered charts and as percentage curves indicating the vertical and horizontal are elements typical of the Palaeogene of tropical areas, for example abundances of major palynomorph groups. Cysts of marine dinoflagel- Bombacacidites africanus, Grimsdalea cf. magnaclavata, Mauritiidites lates tend to be the dominant element in all three sections although crassibaculatus, Proxapertites cursus, Retistephanocolpites williamsii, fluctuations of the relative abundance of marine vs. nonmarine paly- Spinizonocolpites baculatus and S. echinatus. This suggests the presence nomorphs occur especially in the westernmost locality. Dinoflagellate of a Nypa mangrove belt (Spinizonocolpites, Proxapertites) followed land- cysts have yielded several biostratigraphically significant forms includ- ward by a zone with Mauritia and other palms (Mauritiidites) and finally ing Apectodinium homomorphum, A. quinquelatum-paniculatum, Ea- a vegetation zone with Bombacaceae (Bombacacidites), Ctenolopho- tonicysta ursulae, Hafniasphaera septata, Homotryblium abbreviatum, H. naceae (Retistephanocolpites) and a diverse assemblage of other plants.

A SPINEBEARING ZOSTEROPHYLL FROM LOWER DEVONIAN STR ATA OF WESTERN GERMANY

Stephan Schultka Museum für Naturkunde zu Berlin, D-10115 Berlin, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Compression-impression, straight and naked axes from Upper Pra- and are built up of about 40 to 50 sporangia attached along the axis so gian strata show sterile axes and fertile organs that are typical for many that they form a narrow, straight outline. The organisation of the Ger- zosterophylls. The tips of the axes are straight, often ending in compact man zosterophyllous spike provides a new insight into the level of plant spikes with an oval outline. Both the form and the dehiscence slit of the evolution in Laurussia. In comparison with other Pragian floras the Early sporangia demonstrate affinities to the Zosterophyllaceae, but the very Devonian flora of Europe it now shows greater similarity to the zostero- different organisation of the spikes requires the erection of a new ge- phyll rich Early Devonian flora of Southern China. nus, Wendenia. Until now compact strobili were known only from China

127 THE HOUR OF BIRTH IN PALAEOBOTANY WITH SCHLOTHEIM, STERNBERG AND BRONGNIART

Claudia Schweizer University of Vienna, A-1010 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected]

In 1804 Ernst Friedrich Schlotheim (1764-1832) initiated a basic turn prove morphological similarities between European fossil plant genera in the views on the history of organic life by publishing his Beschreibung and species and those still extant plant forms, such as palmtrees, living merkwürdiger Kräuter-Abdrücke und Pflanzen-Versteinerungen (Gotha, in southern tropical climatic zones. This first contact was the onset of 1804). Here the author showed the morphological similarity of fos- a so far unpublished regular correspondence between Schlotheim and sil plant prints with still extant forms, and he later gave a geognostic Sternberg, which lasted until Schlotheim’s death in 1832 and is giving analysis as to the plant fossils’ geognostical deposit in his Beyträge zur insight into the development of further ideas on climatic shifts and fossil Naturgeschichte der Versteinerungen in geognostischer Hinsicht (Munich, plant taxonomy between the two scientists. 1817). In a following step, Schlotheim deepened his findings in his In 1828 Adolphe Brongniart started his edition of the Histoire des Petrefactenkunde auf ihrem jetzigen Standpunkte durch die Beschreibung vegetaux fossiles, ou recherches botaniques et geologiques sur les vegetaux seiner Sammlung versteinerter und fossiler Uberreste des Thier und Pflan- renfermes dans les diverses couches du globe (Paris, 1828–1837) and was zenreiches der Vorwelt erläutert (Gotha, 1820–1823), raising the idea of thus publishing his ideas last amongst the three pioneering palaeo- a continued history of the organic life and replacing the diluvian theo- botanists. His findings basically coincided with those from Sternberg ries from the eighteenth century. It was in July 1820, when Schlotheim and Schlotheim, besides minor differences concerning taxonomic de- addressed himself to the Bohemian scientist Kaspar Maria Count Stern- tail questions at the level of species determination. On the occasion of berg (1761–1838), shortly after the edition of the first issue of Sternberg’s a North-European journey together with his father Alexandre Brongniart Versuch einer geognostisch-botanischen Darstellung der Flora der Vorwelt (1770–1847) he visited Schlotheim’s collections in autumn 1824. A letter (Ratisbon, Leipzig, Prague, 1820–1838), congratulating Sternberg to his to Sternberg is giving evidence of his contact to him, yet, without ever work, which just confirmed Schlotheim’s own findings and furthermore having personally met him. suggested a primordial tropic climate in middle-Europe, as he could

SPOREBEARING STRUCTURES OF WEICHSELIA, A MESOZOIC EUSPOR ANGIATE FERN

Natalia Silantieva Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, 31905, Israel, e-mail: [email protected]

Weichselia is a wide-spread Mesozoic fern assigned to an extinct which were cut at various angles, revealed that sporangial wall con- family Weichseliaceae commonly allied with a leptosporangiate family sisted of three layers. The thick outer layer of sclerenchymous cells is Matoniaceae. Our material from the Lower Cretaceous of Israel provides continuous over the sporangia forming a synangium. The middle layer is new evidence on reproductive morphology and habitats of Weichselia. represented by transverse bars of thick cell, which embraced the whole We propose a new interpretation of its spore-bearing organs based on circumference of sporangia. The third thin membranous indistinctly evidence from Lower Cretaceous of Makhtesh Ramon Basin, Northern granular inner level surrounded the sporogenous tissue. The synangia Negev, Israel. were shed from the spheroids as intact structures. Weichselia produced spherical spore-bearing structures for which We therefore interpret the spore-bearing structures of Weichselia as no close analogues were found either among extant ferns or in the fos- foliar sporocarps enclosing eusporangiate synangia. Sporocarps might sil record. The surface layer of spheroids is a continuous reticulum of have developed in various fern groups for protection of developing rounded-polygonal areoles like in the sterile pinnules, with no evidence spores from excessive moistening and/or salinity, that is in agreement of indusia. The spheroid wall is patchily sclerified around the bases of with the current views assigning Weichselia to coastal habitats, such as columnar receptacles forming polygonal to irregular thickened areas those represented by abundant deposition of fossil wood and leaf ma- that are separated along their grooved contacts and are shed from dis- terial in the delta plain, tidal flat and near-shore marine facies of Hatira integrating spheroids. On account of their analogous disposition on the Formation in Makhtesh Ramon. pinna rachis and their similar venation patterns we interpret the sphe- Based on sporangial structures and certain anatomical features, roids as involuted fertile pinnules enclosing their abaxial sporangial taxonomic affinities of Weichselia must be sought with the Marattiaceae clusters. Thus, spheroids of Weichselia are analogous to sporocarps of (Marattiales), but it is fairly distinct from the marattialean ferns on ac- heterosporous aquatic ferns, which are commonly interpreted as modi- count of its peculiar sporocarps, deserving separation in a monotypic fied foliar organs, formed of two or more laminate pinnules. taxon of ordinal rank. A SEM study of ferruginous molds of intact spheroids, some of

DELAY BETWEEN POLLEN AND SEDIMENTOLOGICAL RECORDS OF ANTROPOGENIC INFLUENCE: KEY STUDIES FROM UPPER DNIEPR BASIN

Galina Simakova1, Sergej Savchik1, Tomasz Kalicki2 and Nickolay Makhnach1 1 Institute of geochemistry and geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Belarus, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 2 Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland, e-mail: zg.pan.krakow.pl

Floodplain deposits of the Dnieper River basin, Belarus, were stud- from 27 sites located in the valleys of 4 tributaries of Dnieper River were ied to reconstruct the phases of natural and anthropogenic environ- studied by means of lithological and geochemical methods (grain size, mental changes in the Late Glacial and Holocene. Sediment archives x-ray fluorescence, spectral analysis), spore-and pollen analyses, radio-

128 carbon dating and determination of relative age through pollen assem- BP). In the Drut River valley silty peat was covered with layers of gravelly blage zones. sands deposited by series of large flood events. Alteration of lithological The diagram of human impact allows estimating a magnitude of features at about 1000 BP is accompanied by an extension of content human impact on vegetation within the vicinity of Neroplia lake (in the of upland herbs (Pilshichi site). Among them Cerealia, Secale pollen ap- valley of the Neroplia River). In this region the first appearance of Cere- pears, the share and variety of the other human impact species increas- alia pollen and growth curves of NAP and ruderals is noted from the last es, pollen of grazing lands, ruderal and wet meadow species also rises. phase of the Subboreal (~5 000 BP). Since ~2 000 BP the intensified hu- Lithological and geochemical methods allow defining man-made man impact on landscape is recorded. It is supported by an increase in changes in the sedimentation pattern. The floodplain deposits of the contents of anthropogenic indicators in pollen spectra. The rise of NAP anthropogenic genesis are referred to as poorly sorted or unsorted silty curve corresponds to the beginning of accumulation of clayey silts in or sandy sediments of a considerable thickness, covering the top of lake sediments. In Pochalitsa and Neroplia river valleys the appearance a section of river valley sediments (Kalicki, 1996; Savchik, 2002; Savchik, of Cerealia pollen, grain of Linum, weeds of cultivated land, and growth Makhnach, 2002). They frequently show coarsening upwards of the ma- of corroded pollen values are recorded at simultaneous decrease of terial, which differs them from the natural fining upwards sediments. pollen concentration just above the boundary separating the peaty de- This phenomenon was caused, as a rule, by intensive and large-scale posits from the upper floodplain loams (the latter began to deposit 500 deforestation and land cultivation.

RECONSTRUCTION OF CORDAITES BOR ASSIFOLIUS STERNBERG UNGER CORDAITALES FROM THE R ADNICE BASIN BOLSOVIAN, CZECH REPUBLIC

Zbyněk Šimůnek1, Stanislav Opluštil2 and Jana Drábková1 1Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3/131, 118 21 Praha 1, Czech Republic 2Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic

Cordaitalean plants belonged to the important elements of the The identity of the Czech and American specimens cannot be proven, Bolsovian plant assemblage of the Radnice Basin (Czech Republic) due to not sufficient way of preservation of the Czech specimens. The and were represented by medium tall trees. Both old collections and genus Florinanthus was erected by Ignatiev et Meyen (1989) for male new excavations (2002–2005) brought new data about the species of cordaitalean fructifications. Florinanthus volkmannii have been stud- Cordaites borassifolius (Sternberg) Unger that represents the type of the ied in detail – cuticles of scales and long bracts. Most scale cuticles are genus Cordaites Unger. The epidermal anatomy of studied cordaitalean stomata-less, stomata occur very rarely only on some parts of abaxial leaves proves existence of one species Cordaites borassifolius in the cuticle. Small trichomes grew from the scale margins. Cuticle of the Radnice Member of the Radnice Basin. The adaxial cuticle has oblong bract possesses oblong, elongate and oriented cells. The stomata are cells oriented parallel to veins. Stomata are scattered on the adaxial sur- arranged into single stomatal rows only in abaxial cuticle, in number face. Abaxial cuticle has stomata arranged into multiplex stomatal rows up to 5 stomatal rows per bract. Many monosaccate pollen grains Flor- formed a wide stomatiferous band. An important diagnostic feature is inites ovalis Bharadway have been found on scale cuticles. The pith cast transverse crypt above the stoma that resembles to Cordaites sp. Type 6 belong to the species Artisia approximata Brongniart ex Lindley et Hut- of Barthel (1964), from the Permian of the Döhlen Basin, Germany. There ton. The seeds are small of Cardiocarpus type. They resemble to Stern- have been also found cordaitalean leaves, twigs, pith casts, fructifica- berg’s (1820) Carpolites annularis, that was figured without description tions and seeds in the Radnice Basin. Most probably they all belong to and therefore it is invalid. The name Cardiocarpus annularis (Sternberg) one species. The associated fructifications belong to two types: the Lesquereux is provisionally used by the description of these platysper- petite form is comparable to male fructifications from Stradonice local- mic seeds. According to other representatives of the plant community, ity named here as Florinanthus volkmannii (Ettingshausen) nov. comb.; Cordaites borassifolius grew in the wet peat-forming habitat. This study the more robust form is similar to Cordaitanthus ovatus (Lesquereux) enables to reconstruct the whole plant. Ignatiev et Meyen from Cannelton locality in Pennsylvania in U.S.A.

PLIOCENE DENDROFLOR A OF PLATFORM UKR AINE BY PALYNOLOGICAL EVIDENCES

Elena A. Sirenko Institute of Geological Sciences, NAS of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine, e-mail: [email protected]

This paper is based on our results of palynological investigation of recognized. It is shown the role of individual taxa in the flora composi- the continental Pliocene sediments (Ukrainian Shield, Dnieper-Donets tion changed due to the geographical position of the territories under Depression, Donbas) and marine and lagoonal-marine Kimmerian and examination and distance from marine basins (for Azov and Crimean re- Kuyalnik sediments of the Eastern Azov Coastal Region as well as pub- gions) and large fresh-water bodies (central part of the Ukrainian Shield). lished data on palynological characteristics of the and Kimmerian and So, the southern regions of Ukraine distinguished by the most various Kuyalnik formations of the Northern Azov Coastal Region (Shekina, taxonomic compositions of both angiosperms and gymnosperms. This 1964а, 1964b) and Kimmerian ones of the Kerch Peninsula (Shekina, regularity is most clear when analyzing the forest communities of ther- 1977). mophilic plants. The Juglandaceae family is very demonstrative in this The carried out examination enabled to recognize that the main aspect, which representatives were rather abundant in the Pliocene role belonged to the representatives of families Pinaceae, Betulaceae, dendroflora of Ukraine. This family was most widespread in the com- and Fagaceae. In different grade families Taxodiaceae, Cupressaceae, position of the forests of the Southern Ukraine: Pterocarya, Carya (most Aceraceae, Anacardiaceae, Nyssaceae, Myricaceae, Salicaceae, Ulmace- common), and Juglans, Engelhardtia as well. Genera mainly Juglans, less ae, Tiliaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Celastraceae, Ericaceae, Elaeagnaceae often Pterocarya were characteristic of the forest assemblages in Central participated, too. The proportion of some species and genera from the and Eastern Ukraine. The most important role of Juglans (three species) families above is analysed in detail, and the most characteristic taxa are is very typical for the forest in the central part of the Ukrainian Shield.

129 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE PALEOGENE DEPOSITS FROM NE POLAND

Barbara Słodkowska Polish Geological Institute, Rakowiecka 4, 00-975 Warsaw, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

Synthesis of the palynological data from NE Poland area has been Lower Eocene is lacking. In both regions the Middle Eocene sedimen- done on the basis of pollen, phytoplankton and palynofacies analysis. tary record was registered in the outer neritic facies at the maximum Two regions, Mazurian Lakeland and Podlasie together with Northern of the transgression. These deposits contain poor sporomorphs assem- Mazovia were compared. Paleogene profiles are incomplete and con- blage coming from the distant land. The upper part of the Eocene on tain many gaps. This situation was connected with complicated geolog- the Podlasie Region was noticed only in the inner neritic costal deposits. ical history of this area. In the Paleogene deposits seven palynomorph Sporomorphs came more often into the basin. The Eocene/Oligocene assemblages have been distinguished. On the basis of the palynofacies sediments in both the regions occurred as the shallow water facies with study, the sedimentary conditions, palaeogeography and plant com- rich sporomorphs assemblages. An episode of break of the marine ba- munities were reconstructed. Paleocene deposits from Mazurian Lake- sin connection was the latest of this cycle. Very rich sporomorphs as- land are developed in two facies. One of them is marine represented semblage was noticed in the Lower Oligocene. This terrestrial basin was by neritic deposits and originated far distant from the shore, probably surrounded by luxurious thermophilous vegetation. Entering then the in regressive cycle. The terrestrial facies – formed in freshwater basin shallow sea basin (Lower Oligocene transgression) did not cause greater included rich thermophilous plant vegetation. At the Podlasie area the changes in the land plants composition. Thermophilous plants over- palynological evidence from the occurring deposits of the Paleocene to grew during all the time in this brackish basin.

THE FIRST APPEAR ANCE OF WELWITSCHIACEAE

Sofia B. Smirnova Department of Paleontology, Geological Faculty, Moscow State University, Vorobjevi Gory, 119992, Moscow, Russia

Gnetales stand aside from contemporary Gymnospermae. They to the ancestry of Welwitschia. The similar pollen grains with ribbed ex- have close relations with the angiosperms, because they have the com- ine and wide sulcus were figured by C. Azema and E. Boltenkagen (1974) mon ancestors with a double fertilisation (Friedman, 1994). The inter- on table II (fig. 2), table IV (figs 8, 13). They were found in the Cenoma- pretation of the origin of this group is difficult due to the absence of nian and Turonian deposits of Equatorial Africa and were described as necessary paleobotanical data. The genera of Ephedra, and Welwitschia the species of Ephedripites. Cherigrin G. F., and Chlonova A. F. (1983, table are of special interest. Ephedra plants are close to xerophytes growing IX, fig. 1) figured and described the similar pollen as Ephedripites from in deserts and semideserts. Prevailing xerophyte of Welwitschia grows in the Albian-Cenomanian deposits of the ASA province. A similar pollen karroos of Angola and the Southwest of Africa. Therefore, it is unlikely to grain from the Campanian deposits of Spain was represented in the work find macrofossils of these plants in rocks. So it is interesting to mark out of J. Medus (1987, table III, fig. 9). This grain with a wide sulcus was de- the presence of pollen like Welwitschia in the Cretaceous deposits. Pollen termined as Welwitschia sp. Consequently, there existed some species grains of Welwitschia, and Ephedra are spindle-shaped. They have ribbed of Welwitschia-like plants at the end of the Early Cretaceous and in the exine. But there is a wide sulcus of Welwitschia unlike in Ephedra. The pol- Later Cretaceous. It is obvious that they appeared considerably later than len grains of ancient Ephedra are usual in the Cretaceous deposits of vari- the family of Ephedraceae. Now it is necessary to define a new morpho ous regions. However, there are no data about the presence of the pollen genus for spindle-shaped, ribbed pollen with a wide sulcus of the Albian- like Welwitschia. Nevertheless, fine ribbed pollen grains with a distinct Senomanian, Turonian, Campanian deposits. wide sulcus were found in the Albian-Cenomanian deposits of the Lesser This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Re- Caucasus and Lebanon (Smirnova, 1997). It permits to put our material search, project no. 04-05-64420.

THE MIDDLE AND MIDDLELATE JUR ASSIC VEGETATION OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE K ANSKACHINSK COAL BASIN SOUTH OF EAST SIBERIA

I. V. Smokotina FUGE “Krasnoyarskgeolsyomka”, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Polychronic mesophytic floras of the Jurassic differed in very de- radical reforms in vegetation at the Middle and Middle-Late Jurassic on creased speed in evolution and speciation. This is corroborated by the territory of the western part of the Kansk-Achinsk basin (Krasnoyar- prolonged existence of many plant species and genera which had enor- sky region). mous ranges. Abiotic factors played significant role in formation of the On the boundary of Middle and Middle-Late Jurassic under condi- terrestrial Jurassic vegetation in landscapes. The changes of the climate tions of the beginning of humidization of climate the region was the sys- (humidization-aridization, warming and fall in temperature) and physic tem of vast stagnant marshy depressions along flats of rivers, with dense geographical conditions caused migration of the individual species and and varied fern stands, promoting formation and accumulation of coal groupings of plants within the mesophytic flora. The climatic zonation beds. The radical turnover resulted in composition of the vegetation. In in the course of the Jurassic on the territory of the region studied de- general, domination of ferns in vegetation sharply decreased (until total pended on the existence within a few phytogeographic provinces in disappearance in the late Aalenian), the role of thermophilic members various sections of time: the warm temperate Siberian and subtropical of the Euro-Sinijskaya phytogeographical province and the share of the Evro-Sinijskaya (Asiatic) (V.A. Vakhrameev et al., 1970, 1988 etc.). As a re- participation of plants of the mesophilic Siberian flora increased. sult of the study of coal deposits, revealed in many wells, a stratigraph- In the Bajocian, the golden age of typical mesophytes in forests un- ical sequence of four palynostratons was installed pointing to stages of der conditions of humid climate with domination of ferns, settling on

130 the alluvial plains, is observed. The relief had a flat character; only small like the flatlands in river valleys with brackish closed lagoons and gulfs elevations were covered by forests of Araucariaceae, Pinaceae, Ginkgo on the west. Grey alluvial lacustrine sediments formed in the conditions etc. With appearance of small lake water basin along riverbeds, small of the continental regime. Only in the Late Bathonian and later in the lagoons and gulfs with marshy shores formed on the place of seaside as Callovian-Oxfordian the golden age of the subtropical Euro-Sinijskaya a result of the regression in the epicontinental basin; relief had assumed flora in composition of vegetation associations is recorded. The role of a view of lake-marshy landscape. The wealthy magnificent vegetation xerophilous coniferous plants with pollen of Classopollis and conifers and favorable conditions for burial of plant remains assisted to the ac- with pollen of Quadraeculina limbata increased. In forest undergrowth cumulation of very thick coal seams in the studied depressions. thin ferns of Schizaeaceae are markedly developed and later they devel- The aridization of climate, beginning in the Bathonian and continu- oped in the Cretaceous. ing in the Callovian-Oxfordian of the Middle and Middle-Late Jurassic, In the Callovian-Oxfordian, conifers with pollen of Quadraeculina caused migration of plant groupings and of individual species. In the limbata dominated, as well as xerophilous coniferous plants with pollen taxonomic composition of palynofloras of this period, themophilic of Classopollis, various ferns (also Schizaeaceae), Araucariaceae, Pinace- plants of the subtropical Evro-Sinijskaya flora gradually replace mem- ae, Ginkgo, Podocarpaceae. Multicolored sediments of the lake lagoon bers of the Siberian phytogeographical province. The landscape looked origin were formed under conditions of arid climate.

DEVELOPMENT AND BIOMECHANICS OF THE LATE CLADOXYLOPSIDA FERNS S.L.: EFFECT OF THE SECONDARY GROWTH

Aude Soria1, Jean Galtier2, Nicholas P. Rowe2 and Thomas Speck1 1 Plants Biomechanics Group. Botanischer Garten der Albert-Ludwigs Universität, Schanzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany 2AMAP CIRAD TA40/PS2 Boulevard de la Lironde 34398 Montpellier Cedex 1, France

The Cladoxylopsida Pichi-Sermolli is a Paleozoic (Early Devonian- parts of the cauline system in this genus are not optimised for a self-sup- Early Carboniferous) class of vascular plants related to the basal ferns porting habit, and that the erect posture is maintained by support on s.l., characterised by a complex dissected vascular system. Extensively a dense surrounding vegetation. studied for the last 20 years, they likely had a fundamental role in the The latest cladoxylopsids known at this time are assigned to the evolution of early terrestrial ecosystems due to their relative abundance Early Carboniferous anatomically-preserved genus Cladoxylon Unger. in fossil plant assemblages, their wide paleogeographic distribution Structural analyses performed on the best documented species Cladox- and the fact that they represent one of the first groups to have evolved ylon taeniatum suggest that the architecture and primary growth pat- the tree habit since the Middle Devonian. terns of this plant are remarkably similar to those of Pietzschia. However, Among the five Devonian genera reconstructed as small trees (up to examinations of anatomy reveal that stems had a particular type of sec- 7 m high) with a relatively stereotype bauplan, only the Late Devonian ondary growth involving a unifacial vascular cambium that produced genus Pietzschia is documented by substantial anatomical remains. Our secondary xylem around each primary xylem bundle, and a periderm developmental studies on two species revealed that at least in this ge- borne inwards from the fibrous primary hypoderm. Such secondary nus, the tree habit is realised in the absence of secondary growth, and growth patterns deeply modify the primary mechanical architecture of involves the production of a large primary body and a pachycaulous, Cladoxylon taeniatum stem that shows a signal typical of non-self-sup- mainly determinate growth. The biomechanical properties of Pietzschia porting plants. Surprisingly, the occurrence of secondary growth in late stems were recalculated from geometrical models of tissue distribution Cladoxylopsida did not represent an adaptation increasing the mechan- and comparisons with extant analogues. Results indicate that the aerial ical stability of moderately-statured trees.

CLIMATE AND VEGETATION OF THE MESOZOIC: WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE DON’T UNDERSTAND

Robert A. Spicer Earth Sciences Department, Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

The Mesozoic is of interest to palaeoclimatologists and palaeo- atmospheric chemistry and vegetation there remain first order dispari- botanists alike because it represents an interval of prolonged global ties between the model predictions and observed climate parameters warmth and it was a time out of which our modern vegetation was born. derived from a wide range of geological proxies, amongst which in non- Although on average the Mesozoic Global Mean Surface Temperature marine settings plant megafossils and palynomorphs provide strong (GMST) was higher than present, it fluctuated significantly on a range of quantitative and qualitative constraints. The model/data mismatches timescales as a function of natural forcings operating in a dynamic fash- are most marked at high latitudes and in continental interiors and, in ion. Thus the Mesozoic provides an unparalleled laboratory for studying the case of the Russian interior, lie outside the bounds of technique un- Earth System interactions in a globally warm setting. For this reason the certainty. This suggests the differences are both marked and real. The Mesozoic, and the Cretaceous in particular, has been a target for global nature of the differences at high latitudes and in continental interiors climate modellers ever since general circulation models came into wide- are reviewed and evaluated. The overall conclusion is that at present the spread use in the 1980’s. Despite considerable increases in computing inherent conservative characteristics of climate models suggests that power, the development of high resolution coupled ocean/atmosphere they will underestimate the degree of change associated with modern models, and elaboration of feedbacks such as those associated with global warming.

131 GLOSSOPTERIS FLOR A: SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION

Ashwini K. Srivastava Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow – 226007, India

Major coal producing basins of peninsular India i.e. Damodar-Koel, eris, Pantopteris, Santhalea and Palasthalia. Leaf genera of glossopterids Son-Mahanadi, Wardha-Godavari, Satpura and Rajmahal show the pres- are recorded as Belemnopteris, Euryphyllum, Gangamopteris Glossopteris, ence of the Glossopteris flora in different geologic formations of Permian Gondwanophyllites, Pteronilssonia, Maheshwariphyllum, Palaeovittaria, Gondwana. The flora is also recorded from the extra peninsular regions Rhabdotaenia, Rubidgea, Sagitophyllum, Surangephyllum and Laceyphyl- of Kashmir and north eastern part of India. Plant fossils of bryophytes, lum. Male and female glossopterid fructifications are known as Arberia, lycophytes, Equisetales, Sphenophyllales, ferns, Glossopteridales, Denkania, Dictyopteridium, Dolianitia, Eretmonia, Glossotheca, Scutum, Cordaites and ginkgopsids group of plants constitute the Glossopteris Plusteadia, Jambadostrobus, Kendostrobus, Lidgettonia, Partha, Senotheca flora of India. Amongst them glossopterid is dominantly represented by and Venustostrobus. Cordaites and ginkopsids represent the leaf genera 70–80 % of the total assemblages. of Noegerathiopsis, Cordaites, Ginkgoites, Psygmophyllum, Rhipidopsis, Recently, well preserved bryophytic fossils are described under Handapaphyllum and Saportaea whereas Birsinghia, Buriadia, Parano- different species of the genera Bryothallites, Hepaticites, Saksenaphyl- cladus, Paliandrolepis, Searsolia and Walkomiella are the records of conif- lites, Sphagnophyllites,Talchirophyllites and Umariaphyllites from lower erous fossils. The presence of variety of dispersed seeds, sporangia, fos- Permian strata. Lycopsid axes are known as Cyclodendron and Lycopodi- sil woods and sterile and fertile forms of uncertain affinity demonstrate opsis. Equisetalean remains are identified as Barakaria, Bengalia, Giridia the variety and richness of the Glossopteris flora in India. ,Lelstotheca, Phyllotheca, Rajmahaliastachys, Raniganjia, Schizoneura, Morpholgical, taxonomical and stratigraphical distribution of leaves Sharmastachys and Tulsidabaria. Shenophylls are represented by Ben- and fructifications of dominant group of plant i.e. Glossopterid signify lightfootia, Pachhwarophyllum, Sphenophyllum and Trizygia. Sterile and that the glossopterids had two ways of developmental strategies during fertile foliage of ferns belong to Asansolia, Botrychiopsis, Cuticulatopteris, the course of evolution from the lower to upper Permian. Damudopteris, Damudosorus,Dichotomopteris, Leleopteris, Neomariopt-

PALYNOLOGICAL AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS IN EARLY PALAEOGENE SEQUENCES OF WESTERN R AJASTHAN, INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE BARMER BASIN.

Divya Srivastava1 and Surya Kant Mani Tripathi1 1Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow – 226007, India, e-mail: [email protected]

The western Rajasthan sedimentary sequences are predominantly present in the studied section is Nummulites burdigalensis, which is re- intracratonic and are part of the Western Rajasthan Shelf. These are sub- ferred to benthic zones SBZ 10–SBZ 11. In the basal part of the section divided into several basins, of which the Barmer basin is constituted by Assilina daviesi is also present suggesting planktonic foraminiferal zones Middle Jurassic to Early Eocene rocks which are mostly covered by ex- P7–P9. The extensive lignite deposits interbedded with foraminiferal tensive desert sand. Rock samples for the present study were collected shales suggest fluctuating sea level conditions in backshore to lagoonal from the Akli Formation which is exposed in open-cast lignite mine lo- environment. cated in the central part of the Barmer Basin. Suitable lithologies were Dispersed Organic Matter studies show that basal and middle parts analyzed for palynological and Dispersed Organic Matter studies. Paly- of the section are dominated by structured terrestrial and amorphous nological assemblages, noticeably dominated by monosulcate pollen organic matter while, the top of the section is rich in black debris. The possibly related to the family Arecaceae, are also characterized by pres- palynofacies analysis indicates moderately oxidizing conditions at the ence of dinoflagellate cysts. High frequency of these pollen suggests base and reducing condition at middle part which was gradually re- that the sequence was deposited in an area fringed by think mangrove placed by oxidizing conditions at the top of the sequence. vegetation chiefly constituted by Nypa. The predominant foraminifer

VEGETATIONAL PATTERN IN THE NEOGENE SEQUENCES OF INDIA

Rashmi Srivastava Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow – 226 007, India

The Neogene Period is considered to be the most significant in the peninsular regions of India. Angiospermic remains dominated the flora; geological history of India because several major events took place dur- however, gymnospermic and pteridophytic forms are also recorded. ing this period. The Indian landmass, which was lying south of equator The peninsular fossils are known from Western India, which includes as an island, moved northward and finally joined with Eurasia during Ol- Kutch, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Konkan and coastal part of Kerala and Lak- igocene-Early Miocene. The major upheaval of Himalaya also occurred shadweep basins. The East Coast assemblages are recorded from Rajah- during Middle Miocene and continued until close of the Pleistocene. mundri, Neyveli Lignite and Pondicherry areas. Northeast region of As- Thus the major change in physiography i.e. increase in continentality sam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Bengal, Bihar, as a result of complete withdrawal of Tethys Sea, which separated India Andaman and Nicobar Island and Katni formation of central India also from Asia before collision of the Indian plate with Eurasia. Land connec- contain well-preserved plant fossils of Neogene. tion with Eurasia provided lot of opportunity for rapid spread and diver- The Neogene vegetation of Peninsular India is mainly represented sification of angiosperms in India. by dicotyledonous woods, which are widely distributed throughout the Neogene sequences are well known in the Peninsular and extra Peninsula. Palms are infrequent and gymnosperms are rare. During Neo-

132 gene the entire Peninsula was covered by rich vegetation indicating that Swintonia, Syzygium, Terminalia and Ziziphus. All these genera have been climate was tropical with more or less uniform temperature because of recorded from peninsular region showing similar climatic conditions re- the warm sea surrounding and intruding into the land mass. sponsible for tropical wet evergreen to moist deciduous elements. All the floras from different basins show close similarity in their The Lower and Middle Siwalik sub-group are rich in plant fossils but composition, as most of the genera are common to them. The wide dis- the megafossils in the Upper Siwalik are very scarce. Their absence has tribution of the tropical rain forest family Dipterocarpaceae along with been attributed to their destruction due to oxidation at the place of ori- other associated genera indicates more or less uniform tropical moist gin and during transportation. However, from the Lower Karewa beds of climate throughout the Peninsular India. The presence of families such Kashmir, which are equivalent to the Upper Siwalik of the Western Hima- as Dipterocarpaceae, Ebenaceae, Leguminosae, Combretaceae, Anac- laya in being of Upper Pliocene age, a rich flora is known, comprising ardiaceae, Rhamnaceae and Sapotaceae alongwith the dominance of a large number of angiosperms, few gymnosperms and pteridophytes. Southeast Asian elements distinguished the Neogene flora with the Most of the Lower Karewa plants are specifically identifiable with the Palaeogene flora of India. modern plants of the surrounding area. There has also been considerable addition to our knowledge of Aridity could have increased gradually towards the close of the the Neogene floras of the Extra-Peninsular India, which are found in Neogene due to the growing continentality caused by the rise of the the Himalayan region. The outer or sub-Himalayan zones, which repre- Himalayas and disappearance of the Tethys Sea in the north. This result- sent the Pre-Siwalik and Siwalik rocks of Neogene in age are distributed ed in complete eradication of Dipterocarps from Kutch, Rajasthan and along the foothills of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Cuddalore and their recession from the western Himalayan foothills to Jammu and Kashmir. northeastern India. The sub-Himalayan zone contains rich assemblage of leaf impres- The palaeoflora of India thus can be considered as ancestral stock sions and petrified woods from the widely extending Siwalik beds. of present day flora. To this stock the elements of South-east Asia, and Some of the common genera described from them are: Albizia, Anisop- Africa were added during Neogene and also European elements during tera, Bauhinia, Calophyllum, Cassia, Cinnamomum, Cynometra, Dalbergia, Quaternary Period after establishment of land connections. This cumu- Diospyros, Dipterocarpus, Duabanga, Ficus, Fissistigma, Gluta, Hopea, latively resulted into the development of modern vegetational scenario Litsea, Mallotus, Mangifera, Polyalthea, Sborea, Sindora, Smilax, Sterculia, and climatic patterns of Indian subcontinent.

LATE GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES AND HUMAN RESPONSE IN THE SARTAI LAKE REGION, NE LITHUANIA

Migle Stancikaite1, Andra Strimaitiene2, Rimante Guobyte3 and Giedre Vaikutiene4 1 Institute of Geology and Geography, Sevcenkos 13, Vilnius, LT-03223, Lithuania, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Lithuanian History, Kraziu 5, LT-01108, Vilnius, Lithuania, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Geological Survey of Lithuania, Konarskio 35, LT-03223, Vilnius, Lithuania, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Vilnius University, Ciurlionio 21/27, LT-03223, Vilnius, Lithuania, e-mail: [email protected]

Palaeoenvironmental studies combining survey of the geologi- 9 000–8 550 cal BP, Tilia 8 400–8 200 cal BP and Quercus 7 700–7 500 cal cal-geomorphological situation, palaeobotanical (pollen and diatom), BP) and increasing water level suggest the rapid rise of the mean tem- isotope (14C, δ13C and δ18O) and archaeological data have provided in- perature and wetness started since about 9 300−8 600 cal BP. Rising formation about the Holocene environmental changes and subsequent wetness and drop of the mean temperature occurred after 6 700 cal BP human reaction registered in the surroundings of Sartai Lake, NE Lithua- when gradual reduction of the broad-leaved woodland and repeated nia. expansion of Picea started. Since 3 350 cal BP thinning of the vegetation Geological composition and geomophological structure of the re- structure was determinated by the increasing human pressure evident lief based the diversity of the landscape registered since the Lateglacial by the appearance of the earliest attempts of agriculture activity. Culmi- Interstadiale. Early Holocene climatic shifts have influenced the forma- nation of the human activity was synchronous with the Medieval warm- tion of the local vegetation including a quick immigration of Picea reg- ing (AD 1170−1410) and had been changed by the decreasing exploita- istered at about 11 260−10 750 cal BP. Further development of the flora tion of area throughout the Little Ice Age cooling (after AD 1270−1430). e.g. immigration of deciduous species (Alnus 8 540–8 300 cal BP, Ulmus

MIDEOCENE PALAEOENVIRONMENTS IN ANTARCTICA: EVIDENCE FROM FOSSIL CONIFERS OF SEYMOUR ISLAND

Rosemary S. Stephens1, 2, Jane E. Francis1, J. Alistair Crame2, Alan M. Haywood2 1 School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Geosciences Division, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom

Exceptionally well-preserved fossil plant material has been col- eralised by calcite, coating the fossils and preserving fine leaf detail. The lected from the Eocene La Meseta Formation (approximately 53 Ma) on fossils include intact isolated leaves, cone scales, and woody fragments, Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula. This Antarctic flora is a source of as well as conifer branches preserved in three dimensions with their valuable information about Gondwanan plant biogeography, palaeocli- leaves still attached. These occur as impressions and casts as well as in mate, and palaeoecology. The plants grew in a lush cool rainforest on permineralised form, and most of the fossils show both internal and ex- the Antarctic Peninsula under a greenhouse climate, and were subse- ternal cellular detail. quently carried into a shallow marine basin where they were preserved The coniferous material – leaves, branches, and cone-scales – has within carbonate concretions. been identified as fossil relatives of the extant Araucaria araucana, which The La Meseta Formation is dominated by plant organs of members is native to southern Argentina and Chile. Similar fossil leaves have been of the Araucariaceae (Conifers). Much of the material has been permin- found in Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula in Eocene strata, and

133 clearly indicate a link between South America and the Antarctic Pe- branches, showing leaf arrangement and branch structure. This scan- ninsula during the Eocene. Angiosperm leaves are less common, and ning technique has the potential to revolutionise the way in which fos- members of Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Proteaceae are present, with possi- sils are studied, since it is entirely non-destructive and could be applied ble Meliaceae, Dilleniidae, and Sapindaceae/Leguminosae. The modern to any fossil material that has been preserved in concretions or other leaves of these families often have thick waxy cuticles that could survive ‘hard’ lithologies. prolonged periods of transport from upland regions to the coast. Strontium-isotope dating indicates the age of this collection as The recently developed Neutron Tomography technique has pro- 48 Ma, Middle Eocene, at the start of cooling following the Early Eocene vided a unique opportunity to study these fossils in their original three- global greenhouse period. Palaeoclimatic interpretation of leaf char- dimensional arrangement without destroying the specimens. This acters and oxygen-isotope analysis indicates a cool-temperate climate novel technique, not previously used on fossils of this type, produced with warm summers and cool, probably snowy, winters. spectacular three-dimensional reconstructions of the Antarctic fossil

PHYTOLITH EVIDENCE FOR THE ROLE OF GR ASSES IN CAINOZOIC ECOSYSTEM EVOLUTION IN THE EASTERN MEDITERR ANEAN

Caroline A. E. Strömberg1, Lars Werdelin2 and Else Marie Friis1 1 Department of Palaeobotany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Palaeozoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden

The arrival of hipparionine horses in the eastern Mediterranean re- a Middle Eocene sample from Turkey yielded phytoliths and served as gion around 11 Ma was traditionally thought to mark the simultaneous a baseline comparison for vegetation inference. westward expansion of savannah vegetation across Eurasia. However, Phytolith analysis showed that the Middle Eocene assemblage con- recent palaeoecological reconstructions based on tooth wear, carbon sists of abundant grass phytoliths (grass silica short cells) interpreted isotopes, and functional morphology indicate that grasses played as deriving from bambusoid grasses, as well as diverse forest indicator a minor role in Late Miocene ecosystems of the eastern Mediterranean, phytoliths from dicotyledons and palms. In contrast, the Miocene as- which were more likely dry woodlands or forests. The scarcity of grass semblages are dominated by diverse silica short cells typical of pooid macrofossils and pollen in Miocene floras supports this interpretation. open-habitat grasses. Forest indicator phytoliths are also present, but It has therefore been suggested that Late Miocene ungulate faunal have become rare by the Late Miocene (9–7 Ma). The phytolith record change in eastern Mediterranean signals increased aridity and land- appears to reflect a shift from woodlands with a bamboo understory scape openness, but not necessarily the development of grass-domi- to savannah or woodland with a ground cover of diverse open-habitat nated habitats. C3 grasses by at least the Early Miocene (~20 Ma). Our analysis of grass To shed new light on the evolution of eastern Mediterranean eco- community composition is consistent with evidence from stable carbon systems during the Miocene, we used phytolith assemblages preserved isotopes from palaeosols and ungulate tooth enamel, showing that C4 in direct association with faunas as a proxy for palaeovegetation struc- grasses were rare in the Mediterranean throughout the Miocene. These ture (grassland vs. forest). We extracted phytoliths and other biogenic data indicate that relatively open habitats were common in the east- silica from sediment samples from well-known Early to Late Miocene ern Mediterranean region >7 million years before hipparionine horses (~20–7 Ma) faunal localities in Greece, Turkey, and Iran. In addition, reached Europe and arid conditions ensued, as judged by faunal data.

ATLAS OF POLLEN AND SPORES OF THE POLISH NEOGENE, VOL. 1  SPORES, VOL. 2  GYMNOSPERMS

Leon Stuchlik1, Maria Ziembińska-Tworzydło2, Aleksdandra Kohlman-Adamska3, Irena Grabowska4, Hanna Ważyńska4, Barbara Słodkowska4 and Anna Sadowska5 1 W.Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-512 Kraków, Poland 2 Institute of Geology Warsaw University, 02-089 Warszawa, Poland 3 Museum of the Earth, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-488 Warszawa, Poland 4 Polish Geological Institute, 00-975 Warszawa, Poland 5 Institute of Geological Sciences, Wrocław University, 50-205 Wrocław, Poland

With the two volumes a group of Polish palynologists begun the The volume 1 contains 63 pages with simple descriptions of 176 edition of a Palynological Atlas of the Polish Neogene. The main goal species of spores referred to 48 genera illustrated on 42 plates with of this series is to present a synthesis of all identified pollen and spore microphotographs. In the taxonomical part one genus and five species taxa from more than 300 microsfloras of the Polish Neogene carried out have been new described and for 28 taxa new combinations have been during the last 50 years. Part of the synthesis is based on data published established. before in international and Polish journals. Another part comes from the The volume 2 contains 61 pages with descriptions of 97 species re- archives of Polish geological and botanical institutes. All described taxa ferred to 20 genera illustrated on 82 plates with microphotographs. I the are revised according to the rules of the International Code of Botanical taxonomical part six species and two genera have been new described, Nomenclature. The description of every species is preceded by a list of one new subgenus is raised to the generic rank, and for 20 taxa new synonyms, followed by remarks concerning the botanical affinity, geo- combinations have been established. Actually in preparation are two graphical distribution of corresponding recent taxa, palaeofloristic ele- volumes of the atlas containing descriptions of angiosperm pollen. ment, and stratigraphical distribution in general and in Poland.

134 CUTICULAR STRUCTURE OF FOSSIL PLANTS FROM NEOGENE IN WESTERN YUNNAN OF CHINA AND ITS PALAEOCLIMATIC SIGNIFICANCE

Bai-Nian Sun1, De-Fei Yan1, San-Ping Xie1, Liang Xiao1 and Li-Jie Wei1 1 College of Earth and Environmental Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China, e-mail: [email protected]

There are about 27 150 species of living vascular plants in China. The Alseodaphne hainanensis Merr. indicates that the temperature gradu- research status of the Cenozoic fossil plants in China, however, is not sat- ally decreased from Neogene to present and the Neogene climate was isfying when considering the abundance of modern plants. Most of an- warmer than present-day in the area. The enlargement of geographical giosperm fossils from the Cenozoic strata in China are impressions but distribution and the extension of geological age of fossil Alseodaphne not compressions. Gymnosperm fossils in Neogene are seldom found hainanensis Merr. provide precious material for the development and in the southwest China especially in Yunnan province. Recently, abun- evolution of plant and the deduction of palaeoclimate. dant fossil plants including angiosperm and gymnosperm were found in In additional, the stomatal parameter of Carpinus subcordata Nath-

Tengchong and Baoshan of western Yunnan, China.It is noticeable that orst indicates that atmospheric CO2 concentration in Neogene higher some fossil leaves are compression and a few specimens of them have than that of today. By comparing the cuticular characteristic of C. subcor- good cuticles in situ owing to fine lithologic character. The epidermal data with that of its NLRs (nearest living relative species, C. cordata) we structure of the Neogene angiosperms and gymnosperms in this area is conclude that Neogene climate in western Yunnan is warm and humid, firstly obtained in our experiments. belonging to torrid zone to sub-torrid zone or warm temperate zone. According to the leaf characteristics and epidermal structures of It is more significant to reveal the leaf microstructure and to assume the fossil plants, some species have been preliminarily identified such palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment. “Plant cuticle may be seen in as Alseodaphne hainanensis Merr., Palaeocarya guangxiensis Li et Chen this sense as the “extant skeleton” of vascular plants. The characteristic Y. F., Palaeocarya sp., Carpinus subcordata Nathorst, Ulmus harutoriensis of epidermis suggests that Neogene climate in the western Yunnan was Qishi et Huzioka, Quercus oxyphylla Hand-Mazz., Q. franchetii Skan, Q. cf. relatively warm and humid. “The western Yunnan lies in the southeast- sinomiocenica Hu et Chaney, Q. dolicholepis A.Camus, Q. pannosa Hand.- ern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Therefore, the palaeobiological Mazz., Q. cf. senescens Hand.-Mazz., Q. cf. phillyraeoides A. Gray, Q. serrata investigation of the area can provide further evidence for the recon- Thunb, Cyclobalanopsis sp. (sp. nov.?), C. paraschottkyana Wang et Liu; struction of palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment. Ventilago leiocarpa Benth, Berchemia omeiensis Fang et Y. L. Chen, Calo- This work was financially supported by the National Natural Sci- cedrus macrolepis Kurz. ence Foundation of China (No. 40372012; 40502005), the Key Project of Alseodaphne hainanensis Merr. is found in Yunnan province for the Chinese Ministry of Education (No. 104177), the National Basic Research first time. A detailed comparison of the epidermic feature and leaf shape Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB701400) and the Natural Science between the fossil and its living equivalent shows that the fossil belongs Foundation of Gansu Province (Grant No. ZS031-A25-002-Z). to Alseodaphne hainanensis Merr. The reduction of distribution area of

THE LATE HOLOCENE HISTORY OF THE SELECTED LOBELIA LAKES IN THE POMER ANIAN LAKELAND N POLAND

Joanna Święta-Musznicka University of Gdańsk, Department of Plant Ecology, Laboratory of Palaeoecology & Archaeobotany, Al. Legionów 9, PL-80-441 Gdańsk, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

Many Lobelia lakes in the Pomeranian Lakeland have lost their natu- the settlement phases distinguished according to pollen frequency of ral floristic and hydrochemical balance under the influence of different anthropogenic indicators. kind of anthropopressure (deforestations in lakes catchments, settle- It was found that among the tree species characteristic for Lobelia ment, pasturing, cultivation, including in man-made drainage systems). lakes only remains of Isoëtes lacustris L. occur in abundance in sediments; The palaeoecological research have been undertaken in order to recon- pollen and macrofossils of Lobelia dortmanna L and Littorella uniflora (L.) struct the late Holocene history of this type of lakes and the role played Asch are not frequent. In several cases, the increase of Isoëtes lacustris by man in their transformation. is associated with the culminations of anthropogenic indicators curves Six Lobelia lakes from the Pomeranian Lakeland (N Poland), situ- (for example Secale cereale or Rumex acetosella) and higher input of min- ated in different landscapes (morainic area, out-wash plains), have been eral matter in to sediments resulting from soil erosion in a catchment. chosen as subjects of investigation. Pollen, macrofossil and chemical The results indicate that in prehistoric times cultivation was the main analyses have been used for the reconstruction of the sub-recent his- factor increasing soil erosion in the catchments, while pasturing was the tory of these lakes in the light of changes in their catchments, mainly main reason for eutrophication. Erosion of poor, sandy soil had an effect development of agriculture. Radiocarbon (AMS), 210Pb and 137Cs datings on reduction of pH level and than disappearance of basifilous species were performed to obtain chronology. and changes in interspecies competition to isoetids advantage. The palaeoecological data illustrate history of vegetation in lake Reconstruction of the main phases in lakes development during the catchments and changes in ecosystems since about 4 000 years ago to last 4 000 years indicates that the present-day state of Lobelia lakes have the present day. Based on appearances of pollen and spores of aquatic been formed by natural condition in lakes catchments and character of plants (mainly species typical for Lobelia lakes) and of remains of some anthropopressure. Depending on the character and duration of human other aquatic organisms (for example green and blue-green algae), impact, anthropopressure has got a limiting or stimulating influence on phases in lakes development have been described and correlated with isoetids populations.

135 PALYNOMORPH DISTRIBUTION AND NEW PALAOENVIRONMENTAL DATA UPPER TURONIAN, BOHEMIAN CRETACEOUS BASIN

Marcela Svobodová1 and Jiří Žítt1 1 Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 269, Praha 6, 165 00, Czech Republic, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Highly diverse palynomorph assemblages of the Upper Turonian member of sequence 2 corresponding to a cooling event of the authors. Úpohlavy section (northwestern Bohemia) were studied. Species abun- The decrease in terrestrial palynomorph content and the increase in dance and distribution were correlated with lithology and CaCO3 con- marine components in sequence 1 may reflect general impoverish- tent. The distributional data on more than 100 palynomorph taxa was ment in coastal vegetation. This short termed decline was followed by compared with recently published information on the distribution of a new increase in relative abundance of terrestrial palynomorph grains stable isotopes (mainly δ18O) and occurrences of a part of macrofauna. and spores in basal parts of sequence 2, which, however, partly contra- The Úpohlavy section (in an active quarry) is more than 15 metres dicts the progressive landward shift of coastline (transgressive charac- high and comprises three sedimentary sequences bounded by erosional ter or maximum flooding in this interval). A possible increasing role of surfaces. The basal sequence 1 (Jizera Formation and basal part of the seaward winds is therefore suggested. The immigration and following Teplice Formation, perplexus/lamarcki-stuemckei/inaequivalvis inocera- rapid disappearance of the small boreal echinoid species Micraster leskei mid Assemblage Zone) with a condensed horizon is probably regressive seems to be typical for marine environments of this interval. to early transgressive. The middle sequence 2 (Teplice Formation, top The assemblages of basal parts of sequence 3 preserved in an ero- parts of perplexus/lamarcki-stuemckei/inaequivalvis inoceramid Assem- sion-derived scour-fill are more diverse both in terrestrial and marine blage Zone, labiatoidiformis/striatoconcentricus inoceramid Assemblage taxa if compared with underlying regression deposits of the top parts Zone and lower part of scupini inoceramid Zone) with another basal con- of sequence 2. However, the terrestrial: marine contents are higher densed horizon probably belongs to the transgressive, highstand and fall- in sequence 3. An accentuation of climatic (e.g., atmospheric) control ing stage systems tract. The top sequence 3 (Teplice Formation, scupini can be preliminarily suggested as one of possible explanations of this inoceramid Zone) seems to be peak regressive or early transgressive. The distribution trend. High and rapid input and burial of palynomorphs hemipelagic marls alternate with marly limestones. together with probably more favourable sedimentary and diagenetic The δ18O curve is important by well expressed palaeotemperature environments permitted the assemblage to be best preserved of all as- signal in the transgressive top horizon of sequence 1 and in the basal semblages of the Úpohlavy section.

SYSTEMATIC AND PALAEOECOLOGIC REVIEW OF VEGETABLE AND FAUNISTIC ASSEMBLAGES OF NOVOELIZAVETOVK A 1 UKR AINE

Svetlana V. Syabryaj1 and T. V. Krakhmalnaya2 1 Institute of geological Sciences of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. O.Gonchara str. 55-b, 01601 Kiev, Ukraine 2 National Museum of Natural History of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Bogdan khmelnitsky str. 15. 01601 Kiev, Ukraine, e-mail: [email protected]

Investigation of palynologic complex and faunistic assemblage oecologic analysis of vertebrates from this locality allowed four types from the Meotian locality Novoelizavetovka 1 (Odessa region, Ukraine) of biotopes to be established and vegetable communities and ecologi- was carried out. The palynocomplex is characterized by the predomi- cal groups of animals spread there to be correlated. The places where nance of tree and shrub pollen. The most part of tree pollen belongs to river and swampy reservoir banks vegetation grew were occupied by the representatives of Pinaceae family: different Pinus species (around Microstonyx major Gervais and Deinotherium giganteum Kaup. These 45 %), single grains of Picea, Abies and Tsuga. Among the angiosperms mammals have adapted morphologicaly to live in such conditions. For deciduous tree pollen (Juglans, Betula, Fagus, Quercus, Tilia, Ulmus, Sa- example, representative of order Proboscidea, deinotherium was char- lix, Carpinus, Corylus, Celtis, Acer, Fraxinus, and single Myrica) comprised acterized by oblong manus with strong short mussels which permitted around 26 %. Shrub pollen was represented by Euonymus, Viburnum, it to enlarge the base surface of the leg and move along the swampy Lygustrum, Diervilla, Elaeagnus, Lonicera, Moraceae, Rhamnaceae, Ro- soils. Cervavitus variabilis (Alex.) and Tragocerus frolovi Pavlow belong saceae families. The next group of vegetation is constituted by herb pol- to the mammal ecological group associated with the numerous of de- len from Ranunculaceae, Plantaginaceae, Fabaceae, Apiaceae, Polygo- ciduous forests situated in flood land and ravines.Presence of the deer naceae, Lamiaceae, Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and forest tragocerus show that inhabitants of relatively forest-covered Convolvulaceae, Geraniaceae, Cichoriaceae, Primulaceae, Campanu- biotopes play still important role. Wet meadow associations with shrubs laceae, Caryophyllaceae, and Liliaceae families including single Ephedra were suitable for Hipparion moldavicum Grom. and Gazella pilgrimi Boh- pollen. The number of hydro- and hygrophilous pollen (representatives lin. Giraffes and mastodonts known from orictocoenosis of Novoeliza- of river margin communities and freshwater lakes) was almost equal vetovka 1 as well could be related with the same places and light forest in the whole palynocomplex. All spectra contained spores of Polypo- as well. The open biotopes with mesophilous herbaceous associations diaceae family, Lycopodium, Selaginella and freshwater algae. The data inhabited Procapra capricornis Wagner and Palaeostruthio novorossicus of carpologic and megafloristic study in the same region confirm our (Alex.). Representatives of this ecological group adapted to less soft soil palynological results. The identification of palynocomplex composi- in comparison with the same of wet areas. tion in the scope of the Novoelizavetovka 1 bone horizon and morph-

136 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF ANGIOSPERM MESOFOSSILS FROM THE K AMIKITABA LOCALITY, ASHIZAWA FORMATION, FUTABA GROUP, LOWER CONIACIAN, UPPER CRETACEOUS OF NORTHEAST JAPAN

Masamichi Takahashi Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, Ikarashi, 950-2181, Japan, e-mail: [email protected]

A general description was provided of the mesofossils assemblage composed of a single layer of columnar sclerenchyma that has deeply (the Kamikitaba mesofossil flora) from the Ashizawa Formation, Futaba digitate cell outlines in surface view. Fossil fruits of probable fagalean Group (Lower Coniacian, Upper Cretaceous) of Northeast Japan. The affninity are represented by many hundreds of specimens. Each fruit de- fossil assemblage contains well preserved angiosperm flowers, fruits, veloped from an epigynous flower containing an ovary with three ter- seeds, leaf fragments and wood, as well as shoots, leaves, pollen cones, minal styles and about six stamens filaments. Pollen grains preserved cone scales and seeds of conifers. The detailed description was subse- on the fruit surface are tricolporate with rugulate tectum. Fossil inflo- quently published on Lauranthus futabensis (Lauraceae), Hironoia fusi- rescences, currently of uncertain affinity, bear several helically arranged formis (Cornales) and Esgueiria futabensis (Combretaceae) from the Ka- floral units each comprising a prominent primary bract subtending an mikitaba mesofossil flora. ovary/carpel, each with a prominent groove running longitudinally Current studies of the Kamikitaba mesofossils are focusing on three down the abaxial surface. This may reflect an adaxial suture and line of further angiosperm taxa the systematic affinities of which are still un- dehiscence. At the apex each carpel has what appears to be an adaxially der consideration. Fossil seeds with a combination of features seen in oriented oblique stigmatic surface. One of these specimens has a mass extant Nymphaeales are known from about 20 specimens. They show of reticulate pollen on the carpel. These fossil inflorescences are very a clear hilar scar and micropyle and have a distinctive outer seed coat similar those described as Cathiaria zhilinii.

THE MORPHOMETRICAL ANALYSIS OF FOSSIL LEAVES FROM THE OLIGOCENE OF THE BUDA AND BÜKK MOUNTAINS  A POSSIBLE SIGN OF CLIMATIC DIFFERENCE

Júlia Tamás1 and Lilla Hably1 1 Botanical Department of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, H-1476 Budapest, POBox 222, Hungary, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

The Lower Oligocene Tard Clay Formation comprises well-dated 190, 195, 205, 215, 225, 240, 255, 270, 285, 300, 315, 325, 335, 345, 350 and and well-preserved leaf and fruit floras recorded from deposits both in 355°, respectively. The circular grid should be superposed on the leaf the Buda Mountains, in Budapest, and 120 km to the north-east, in the as follows: the line along 0–180° falls on the primary vein, the radius of Bükk Mountains in Eger-Kiseged. Both occurrences of the fossil assem- 0° points towards the apex of the leaf and the line along 90–270° falls blage comprise essentially the same plant species, with the exception of on the widest point of the leaf lamina. Along each radius the distance a few taxa, and share the dominant and characteristic species. The fos- between the origin and leaf margin is recorded, yielding 36 values if the siliferous layers are sediments of the Tard Clay which was formed under leaf is intact. From these data the area of analogous triangles are calcu- anoxic conditions in the “Tard Sea”. lable. This method provide a possibility to measure the difference of the The pre-Neogene basement of the Pannonian domain is built up by leaf area in the two localities. a collage of terrains deriving from different parts of the Tethys, which Leaves of 5 species are the target of our study. In case of Sloanea have finally accreted in the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene times. The elliptica (Andreánszky) Z. Kvaček and Hably the average leaf area is 2.3 combined stratigraphical, sedimentological, palaeomagnetic and tec- times larger in Budapest than in Eger-Kiseged. The same calculation for tonic investigations have revealed the palaeogeographic position of Engelhardia orsbergensis (Wessel and Weber) Jähnichen, Mai and Walther the Palaeogene Basin, including the Buda and Bükk tectonic units, and yields 1.4 times difference between the two localities. In the statistical a new question is raised: in addition to the floristic similarity a difference tests these values are proved to be highly significant differences. Fur- between the Buda and Bükk regions is demonstrable. Leaves in the en- ther 3 species (Platanus neptuni (Ettingshausen) Buzek, Holy and Kvaček, virons of Budapest (Buda unit), the large size and width of leaves are Eotrigonobalanus furcinervis (Rossmässler) Walther and Kvaček, Zizyphus conspicuous, whereas in Eger-Kiseged (Bükk unit), leaves are definitely zizyphoides (Unger) Weyland) showing similar tendencies, are under in- smaller and narrower. In order to define the differences quantitatively, vestigation at present. morphometrical measurements were adopted. Smaller leaf area and significantly narrower leaf blade are possible The shape and size of leaf fossils were compared by means of a cir- indicators of drier climatic conditions in the Bükk unit. cular grid (Hill 1980). This grid is composed of 36 radii at angles of 0, 5, This research was supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 145, 155, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, Fund (OTKA T043327).

137 MEGASPORE ULTR ASTRUCTURE OF TWO SELAGINELLA SPECIES FROM THE PLIOCENE OF MOISEYEVO EUROPEAN PART OF RUSSIA AND THE MIOCENE OF K ARTASHOVO WEST SIBERIA

Valentina F. Tarasevich1 and Sergei G. Zhilin1 1 Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Palynology, ul. Prof. Popova 2, 197376, St. Petersburg, Russia

Two species of Selaginella (from the collection by P. I. Dorofeev) alternating with very short lamellae that form small rounded cavities. were studied with the SEM: S. borysthenica P. Dorof., discovered in the Above in the section, this layer changes structurally to be composed of Pliocene outcrop at the village Moiseyevo in the Tambov Oblast’ (the larger rounded tightly packed granules. Both layers may be assumed to European part of Russia), and S. pliocenica P. Dorof., originating from the belong to the exosporium, which thus forms the ultrareticulate surface Miocene of Kartashovo in the Omsk Oblast’ (West Siberia). Megaspores pattern. Alongside with this, a fragmentary cover of insignificant thick- of the latter were first described from the Pliocene of Kama (Dorofeev, ness is observed on the surface of some megaspores. It is apparently 1957) and are currently documented in 4 outcrops in the region. Accord- a very thin perisporium. The fossil megaspores show obvious similarity ing to Dorofeev (1963), this species was distributed in Europe from the to those of Selaginella selaginoides. Miocene to the Lower to Middle Pliocene and is most comparable to Selaginella pliocenica belongs to another type. Megaspores are modern S. apoda (L.) Fern. and S. densa Rydb. large, trilete, spheroidal, about 450–660 µm in diameter, with the indis- Megaspores of Selaginella borysthenica are trilete, spheroidal, about tinct laesura. The wall is about 30 µm thick. The megaspore surface is 330–470 µm in diameter, with a distinct laesura. The wall is about 40 µm coarsely reticulate, meshes of the reticulum being large, rounded-po- thick. The surface is tuberculate to verrucate. The tubercles and verru- lygonal, and their walls ridge-shaped, about 40 µm high, narrow. The cae are of various sizes and outlines, from rounded to elongate, ranging floor of the reticulum is covered by a thin continuous layer of uncertain between (4.7)10 and 30 µm in diameter at the base and from 3 to 8 µm structure. This layer resembles the fragmentary layer discovered in S. in height, and are evenly distributed along the surface. The megaspore borysthenica, which apparently belongs to the perisporium. The sporo- surface ornamentation is ultramicroreticulate. A very fine reticulum cov- derm is represented on the breaks by a compact two-layered granular ers the tubercles and the verrucae, as well as the spaces between them. exosporium and a more or less structurally homogeneous endospo- It is rounded in outline, 0.1–1.6 µm in diameter, with lumina wider than rium. Megaspores of such a type are widespread among both modern the walls. The megaspore wall is comprised of three layers. Endospo- and fossil species. In particular, fossil Selaginella megaspores described rium, the lowermost layer, is dense and thin, almost homogeneous. It by Knobloch (1986) from the Miocene and Pliocene of Moravia and Slov- is replaced upward by a more solid, rather loose layer of small granules enia can be referred to this type.

THE LAST INTERGLACIAL VEGETATION AND CLIMATE IN SOUTHERN SIBERIA: QUANTITATIVE RECONSTRUCTION AND COMPARISON WITH THE EUROPEAN AND CHINESE RECORDS

Pavel E. Tarasov1, Wojciech Granoszewski2, Elena V. Bezrukova3, Malgorzata Nita4, Simon Brewer5, A. A. Abzaeva3 and Heidi Oberhänsli6 1 Free University of Berlin, Institute of Geological Sciences, Palaeontology Department. Malteserstr. 74-100 Building D, Berlin 12249, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Polish Geological Institute, Carpathian Branch, Skrzatow 1, Krakow 31-560 Poland 3 Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch Russian Academy of Sciences, Favorsky 1a, Irkutsk 664033, Russia 4 Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland 5 CEREGE BP80, 13545 Aix-en-Provence cedex 4, France 6 GeoForschungsZentrum, Potsdam 14473, Germany

Until XIX century humans did not influence vegetation and en- soon after 128 ky BP. However, temperature changed more gradually. vironments in the Baikal region as much as they did in Europe and Maximum values of Tc ~ -20 °C and Tw ~ 16–17 °C are reconstructed since China since the Early-Mid-Holocene. Thus, the reconstruction of natu- about 126 ky BP. Conditions became gradually colder after ca 121 ky BP. ral climatic variability during the LI and the Holocene is possible using Tc dropped to ~ -27 °C and Tw to ~ 15 °C by 119.5 ky BP. The increase in pollen records from Lake Baikal. These results provide an opportunity continentality was accompanied by a decrease in Pann to ~ 400–420 to examine the effects of the orbital forcing on regional climates and mm. However, the climate was still humid enough (α ~ 0.9) to support vegetation. Changes in mean temperature of the coldest (Tc) and warm- growth of boreal evergreen conifers. A sharp turn towards a dry climate est month (Tw), annual precipitation (Pann) and moisture index (α) is reconstructed after ca. 118 ky BP, causing retreat of forest and spread were reconstructed from the pollen sequence CON01-603-2 (53°57’ N, of cool grass-shrub communities. Cool steppe dominated the vegeta- 108°54’ E) recovered from a 386 m water depth in Lake Baikal. The time tion in the area between ca. 117.5–114.8 ky BP, suggesting the end of interval covers the complete LI, corresponding to MIS 5e. Results of pol- the LI and transition to the new glaciation characterized by cool and len analysis and pollen-based quantitative biome reconstruction show very dry conditions with Tc ~ -28– -30 °C, Tw ~ 14–15 °C, Pann ~ 250 mm pronounced changes in the regional vegetation throughout the record. and α ~ 0.5. During 128–117.4 ky BP, the vegetation around Lake Baikal Shrubby tundra covered the area ca 130-128 ky consistent with the end reflects a generally warm and wet climate. An abrupt rise in precipitation of the Middle Pleistocene glaciation. The late glacial climate was charac- occurred at the same time as the onset of the summer monsoon, dated terized by low temperatures (Tc ~ -38– -35 °C and Tw ~ 11–13 °C) and low in Chinese record to ca. 129.3 ky BP, and there is a significant decrease in Pann ~ 300 mm. However, wide spread of tundra vegetation suggests precipitation synchronous with an attenuation of the monsoon circula- rather moist environments associated with low temperatures and evap- tion at 119.6 ky BP. Reconstructed changes in winter temperature corre- oration (α ~ 1). Tundra was replaced by boreal conifer forest (taiga) by late well with changes in the sea level and global ice volume, while the ca 128 ky BP, suggesting a transition to the interglacial. Taiga-dominant summer temperatures derived from the Continent record track changes phase lasted until ca 117.4 ky BP, e.g. about 10 ky. Most favorable climate in the summer insolation. conditions occurred during the first half of the LI. Pann reached 500 mm

138 PALEOBOTANY IN ANTARCTICA: LINKING THE PAST TO THE PRESENT

Edith L. Taylor University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7534, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

Although currently glaciated, Antarctica was once covered in a lush panded our knowledge of the distribution of certain plant groups, es- vegetation. Plant fossils are known from the Devonian until the onset of pecially certain gymnosperm groups (e.g., Caytoniales, Peltaspermales). glaciation in the Oligocene, with evidence of an alpine-type assemblage In addition, the description of anatomically preserved plants from in continental Antarctica as recently as the Pliocene. The continent was permineralized peat deposits has greatly increased our knowledge of apparently forested from the Late Paleozoic to the Paleogene, even whole plant concepts in certain Paleozoic and Mesozoic seed plants. though it was situated at high paleolatitudes during much of this time. Permineralized peat from the central Transantarctic Mountains has Our current knowledge of changes in floral distribution and diversity yielded reproductive organs of Permian glossopterids and Triassic co- through time is more complete for the Antarctic peninsula region, since rystosperms. The Late Permian peat from Skaar Ridge includes numer- outcrops on the continent itself are more widely scattered and limited ous plant organs assignable to the Glossopteridales, including two basic by ice cover. morphological types of ovule-bearing structures, which can be com- Paleobotanical studies have provided important data on Antarc- pared to impression forms from elsewhere in Gondwana. The perminer- tic paleoclimate. Tree rings from a number of sites have provided not alized flora from Middle Triassic peat on Fremouw Peak is more diverse only proxy climate data, but also information on plant adaptations to and exhibits excellent tissue preservation. From this locality it has been a polar light regime. With the present Earth moving rapidly toward possible to reconstruct a ‘Dicroidium plant,’ including Pteruchus pollen a greenhouse world, it is no longer sufficient to examine just Quater- organs, Umkomasia ovulate structures, Dicroidium leaves, and Kykloxy- nary climate changes in order to understand possible future climate lon stems. Unlike the corystosperms from South America, this Antarctic and its effects on the world’s biota. Only by examining deep time can plant had dense, pycnoxylic wood and was probably a substantial forest accurate analogs be found for the ecosystems and environments that tree. In addition, recent work on the cycad stem from the Fremouw site, are predicted for the future. Antarctic floras provide an extraordinarily Antarcticycas, has provided data for a whole plant reconstruction of this important proxy record of plant growth in the past from latitudes where unusual seed plant. The importance of these findings in light of our cur- plants do not exist today. rent ideas on seed plant phylogeny will be discussed. In recent years, Antarctic compression-impression floras have ex-

FOSSIL TREE RINGS AND WOODY PLANT GROWTH AT POLAR PALEOLATITUDES: PERMIAN AND TRIASSIC WOOD FROM THE CENTR AL TR ANSANTARCTIC MOUNTAINS

Edith L. Taylor1, Patricia E. Ryberg1 and Thomas N. Taylor1 1 Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7534, USA, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Fossil wood is relatively common in Permian and Triassic terrestrial Francis et al. found similarly high numbers of cells in Permian rings from rocks of the central Transantarctic Mountains (CTM), both in permin- the Allan Hills, Antarctica. The number of rings per trunk is as high as 136 eralized peat deposits and as isolated specimens in fluvial rocks. Well- in the Triassic wood and 115+ for the Permian, indicating that mature preserved Late Permian wood occurs in permineralized peat collected forests were present in both time periods. on Skaar Ridge, in the upper part of the Buckley Formation, and Triassic From the Late Permian into the Triassic, the Earth was moving into wood in permineralized peat and coeval sandstones in the upper Fre- a greenhouse phase, with temperatures in polar regions sufficient and mouw Formation (Middle Triassic). The peat preserves cellular detail and even favorable for plant growth. Paleogeographic reconstructions thus provides information on tree ring structure in woody plants, as well place the CTM floras around 70–75ES in the Triassic and 75–80ES in the as details of floral diversity and plant growth. Permian. At these paleolatitudes, the plants must have experienced 24 Both Permian and Triassic tree rings are large when compared with hours of light during the summer, and total darkness for at least three high latitude woods today. Triassic tree rings average 1.69 mm wide winter months. Minimal change in radial cell diameter across individual (range = 0.1–6.8 mm), and Permian ones 2.33 mm (0.2–9.9 mm). All ex- rings, along with the small amount of latewood, is thus probably caused hibit a large amount of earlywood and very little latewood, suggesting by a rapid transition to low light levels at the end of the growing season. a long, favorable growing season and a very short transition to dorman- Unlike boreal forests today, which are generally limited by temperature cy. Using Mork’s method to calculate the proportion of latewood gives and water availability, wood growth in these Antarctic forests was ap- similar values for both time periods: 5.9 % latewood (Triassic) and 5.9 % parently limited only by light. Tree ring analysis will be presented and (Permian), which correlates well with the observed wood anatomy. Tri- discussed in relation to the effects of constant light, and its relationship assic rings have up to 104 cells per ring and Permian ones up to 238 cells; to tree growth and wood production in these fossils.

139 MICROORGANISMS AND THE EARLY EVOLUTION AND DIVERSIFICATION OF VASCULAR PLANTS

Thomas N. Taylor1, Michael Krings1, 2, Hans Kerp3 and Hagen Hass3 1 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Natural History Museum and Biodiversity, Research Center, the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7534, USA 2 Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie und GeoBio-CenterLMU, Richard-Wagner-Straße 10, 80333 München, Germany 3 Forschungsstelle für Paläobotanik am Geologisch-Paläontologischen Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Hindenburgplatz 57, 48143 Münster, Germany

The vast majority of vascular plants today live in symbiosis with the filaments form characteristic coils. We are uncertain as to the role of a variety of microorganisms. Many of these symbioses represent com- the cyanobacteria in this tripartite symbiosis, but hypothesize that they plex, multipartite mutualistic systems, in which several microbial may have facilitated the establishment and maintenance of the mycor- partners interact with each other and the host. Although it has been rhiza. Conversely, the mycorrhizal fungus may have positively affected suggested that complex associations with microorganisms were criti- the cyanobacterial performance. The A. major /mycorrhizal/ cyanobac- cal during the early phases of land plant evolution and diversification, terial symbiosis is highly significant because it demonstrates that the persuasive fossil evidence of these associations has been largely lack- genetic information and developmental mechanisms underlying the ing. Recent studies have shown that the prostrate mycorrhizal axes of establishment and maintenance of complex land plant/microorganism the Early Devonian land plant Aglaophyton major from the Rhynie chert interactions were in place at least 400 million years ago, and adds sup- host endophytic filamentous cyanobacteria as an additional symbiont. port to the hypothesis that microorganisms played a significant role in The cyanobacteria colonize the axes through the outer cortical tissues the early evolution and diversification of vascular plants. We will exam- and mycorrhizal arbuscule-zone by growing through the intercellular ine this complex microorganism/land plant association in the context system. Near the mycorrhizal arbuscule-zone, some filaments penetrate of deciphering other functional components that contributed to the cortical cells and become intracellular endophytes. Within cortical cells, development of later appearing terrestrial ecosystems.

DETAILED STRUCTUR AL ANALYSIS OF SPORE TETR ADS AND DYADS FROM THE CAMBRIAN OF NORTH AMERICA

Wilson A. Taylor University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA

There is a growing body of information on resistant-walled spore re- are arranged tetrahedrally, even though other geometric arrangements mains from terrestrial or near-shore Cambrian sediments. These include are common among modern plants. An attempt to determine the nature a considerable diversity of morphotypes (monads, dyads, tetrads and of attachment between the “spores” of one Upper Cambrian planar tet- polyads) and a geographic distribution that so far includes three widely rad from Wisconsin, using transmission electron microscopy, revealed spaced localities in the continental United States. Ongoing studies of that each of the 15 µm “spores” was actually a tetrad itself. Subsequent newly discovered large spore clusters may eventually yield additional preparation, collection and examination of 260 serial sections produced information on the organisms that produced these enigmatic spores, an unprecedented picture of the spatial arrangement of the tiny spores but for now, the available information is limited to detailed studies of that make up this tetrad of tetrads. The question of whether the small microscopic specimens. The walls of most of these spores are consider- tetrads were composed of tetrahedrally arranged spores should be set- ably thicker than any known group of modern algae. The question of tled by the time of this oral presentation. Such comprehensive studies whether they are a product of meiosis or mitosis is best assessed by de- are continuing on the various types and will ultimately result in a clear- termining the spatial relationships of units within the groupings. Most er picture of the role(s) of these spores in the life cycle of their parent workers find it easier to accept a meiotic provenance if the four spores organisms.

EUCOMMIIDITES: ULTR ASTRUCTURE AND AFFINITIES

Maria Tekleva1, Jiří Kvaček2 and Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert3 1 Laboratory of Paleobotany, Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsojuznaya str., 123, 117647, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2 National Museum, Prague, Václavské nám. 68, 115 79, Praha 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, and National Natural History Museum Naturalis, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

Eucommidites is a peculiar type of triaperturate (trisulcate) pollen TEM results on the monosulcate in situ pollen of the morphologically with a sulcus on distal side, flanked either by two lateral or proximal fur- similar pollen cones Aegianthus sibiricus (Heer) Krassilov et Bugdaeva rows or a ring furrow. It was produced by extinct plants of supposed af- (Jurassic of Ust-Balej, East Siberia), and Loricanthus resinifer Krassilov et finities to Gnetophyta (Hughes, 1961; Friis and Pedersen in 1996). Bugdaeva (Lower Cretaceous of Transbaikalia), as well as Cryptosaccifer- We report on the TEM ultrastructures of in situ Eucommiidites pollen ites pabularis Krassilov et Tekleva, the larger pollen with Eucommiidites- found in the pollen cones Hastystrobus muirii Van Konijnenburg-van Cit- type apertures and alveolate ultrastructure from gut compression of an tert (Middle Jurassic of Yorkshire) and Bayeritheca hughesii J. Kvaček et Early Cretaceous sawfly Ceroxyella dolichocera Rasn. Pacltová (Late Cretaceous of Bohemia). We involve for comparison our Both dispersed and in situ Eucommidites type pollen grains are small

140 (less than 36 × 10 µm, mostly about 25 × 10 µm), psilate (except those pollen types, morphological affinities of Eucommiidites can be sought found in the micropyle of Erdtmanispermum balticum, which are fove- with rimulate and poliplicate forms, as well as the forms with reduced olate), but of very different ultrastructure. In all the studied species of lateral sacci. Of the morphologically similar pollen cones, the gnetalean Eucommiidites, the infratectum consists of granules and columella-like affinities are so far confirmed for Aegianthus sibiricus alone on account elements, but shows differences in the size and distribution of granules. of its association with Welwitschia-like seed scales. This species pro- They also differ in the presence and the relative development of ect- duced pollen grains similar to Eucommiidites in a number of morpholog- exinal layers. In all, but Erdtmanispermum balticum, species the median ical and ultrastructural characters, but lacking the diagnostic apertural sulcus is relatively broad, with rounded ends and the lateral furrows are configuration. Apparently, the Eucommiidites pollen morphology and slit-like with pointed ends. There are no species-specific distinctions in ultrastructure was not consistent within the group of studied macro- the apertural ultrastructure. Erdtmanispermum balticum also differs in morphologically similar pollen cones. At the same time, high diversity of having almost symmetrical apertures and considerably thicker ectexine Eucommiidites pollen ultrastructure suggests diverse source of plants. (2.5–3.0 µm) than in the cases. The homology of Eucommiidites-type apertural structures and the range The TEM differences in the relative development and ultrastructure of ultrastructural diversity need further investigation. of ectexinal layers seem diagnostic at species level. Among Mesozoic

REVISION OF THE CONIFEROUS MACROFOSSILS FROM THE LOWER MIOCENE OF THE MOST BASIN

Vasilis Teodoridis Charles University, Faculty of Education, M.D. Rettigové 4, 116 39 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The Most Basin is located between the Doupov Hory Mts. and the dolarix schmidtgenii Kräusel, Pinus engelhardtii Menzel / Pinus rigios Ung., České Středohoří Mts. in Northern Bohemia and genetically belongs Pinus ornata (Sternb.) Brongn. and Pinus urani (Ung.) Schimper / Pinus to the tectonic system of the Eger Graben. This area is one of the most cf. pseudostrobus Brongn.. The assemblage most typical of coal seams famous Late Oligocene-Early Miocene palaeobotanical sites in Europe reflects the coniferous peat-forming swamp forest that was represented that has been permanently studied since fifties of the 19th century. by dominant occurrence of Glyptostrobus europaeus and Quasisequoia The present study is based on the revision of the coniferous material couttsiae. This vegetation overlapped with the mixed swamp forest published by Menzel (1901) and supplemented by new palaeobotani- towards the basin banks and included besides the mentioned conifers cal data published by Bůžek and Holý (1966) and Z. Kvaček (1976, 1989, also Taxodium dubium. The evergreen broad-leaved forest occupied ex- Kvaček and Hurník 2000). The study tries to summarize and evaluate tra-basinal, mesophytic and acid biotopes, such as crystalline rock ele- existing data according to carpological, leaf morphological and cuticu- vations of the Krušné Hory Mts. (sandy and micaceous facies) covered by lar aspects following a modern holistic approach. Different levels of monotonous Pinus stands and other mesophytic conifers, e.g., Pinaceae the basin fill have yielded ca. 10 conifers, i.e. Glyptostrobus europaeus gen. et sp. indet., Pseudolarix schmidtgenii, Tetraclinis salicornioides. (Brongn.) Ung., Quasisequoia couttsiae (Heer) Kunzmann, Taxodium du- The study was supported by the grant GAČR (Grant Agency of the bium (Sternberg) Heer, Tetraclinis salicornioides (Ung.) Z. Kvaček, Pseu- Czech Republic) No. 205/06/P007.

CLAMP AND CA PROXY DATA FROM THE LOWER MIOCENE OF NORTH BOHEMIA

Vasilis Teodoridis1, Zlatko Kvaček2 and Dieter Uhl3 1 Charles University, Faculty of Education, M.D. Rettigové 4, 116 39 Prague 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]; 2 Charles University, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Villenstraße 13, D-67433 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

The plant megafossil record of the Most Formation (Lower Miocene) Sand), MAT = 13.3–15.6 °C, CMMT = -0.1–4.4 °C, WMMT = 25.0–26.8 °C, has been re-evaluated according to current taxonomy and employed MAP = 735.0–1281.0 mm (Holedeč); MAT = 13.4–15.6 °C, CMMT = 3.8– for phytostratigraphical correlation. A succession of the floras from 4.4 °C, WMMT = 26.4–26.8 °C, MAP = 1194.0–1281.0 mm (Čermníky); MAT various levels of the basin fill covers the time span from the Oligocene- = 16.5–17.0 °C, CMMT = 9.6–11.7 °C, WMMT = 26.4–26.8 °C, MAP = 1194.0– Miocene boundary (the Hlavačov Gravel and Sand), through the Early 1281.0 mm (Břešťany); MAT = 13.4–15.6 °C, CMMT = -0.7–4.4 °C, WMMT Miocene (Holešice Member-Holedeč, Čermníky, and the Libkovice = 26.4–26.8 °C, MAP = 867–1362 mm (Přívlaky). The palaeoclimatic CA Member-Břešťany, Přívlaky). Leaf and carpological fossils help to obtain proxies are mostly comparable with CLAMP data excluding the riparian complex floristic information such as palaeovegetation data from the assemblage of the Hlavačov gravel and sand, obviously due to influence stratigraphically different sites studied in the sedimentary fill of the ba- of the autecology of Pseudolarix kaempferi (Lindl.) Gord. Climatic fluctu- sin. The CLAMP and CA methods have been applied for palaeoclimati- ations are indicated by the differences in plant spectra during the sedi- cal estimates of the sites selected for this study. The CLAMP proxies ob- mentation of the Most Formation and also due to palaeoenvironmental tained vary mainly in temperature parameters: MAT = 6.7 °C, CMMT = conditions (changes in facies) as well. The CLAMP study corroborates -2.3 °C, WMMT = 16.1 °C, 3WET = 52.5 mm, 3DRY= 31.4 mm (the Hlavačov the assumption that the riparian forests (i.e., azonal assemblages) may Gravel and Sand), MAT = 8.1 °C, CMMT = -1.2 °C, WMMT = 18.2 °C, 3WET reflect biased climatic proxies. The complex palaeobotanical revision = 52.7 mm, 3DRY= 30.6 mm (Holedeč); MAT = 10.5 °C, WMMT = 22.0 °C, including leaf and fruit-seed assemblages shows the position of the Mi- CMMT = -0.2 °C, 3WET = 58.8 mm, 3DRY= 37.2 mm (Čermníky); MAT = ocene climatic optimum in the upper part of the Libkovice Member of 16.5 °C, CMMT =5.7 °C, WMMT = 27.2 °C, 3WET = 81.9 mm, 3DRY= 49.4 mm late Early Miocene age (Ottnagian-Karpatian). (Břešťany); MAT = 8.9 °C, WMMT = 20.2 °C, CMMT = -1.6 °C, 3WET = The study was supported by the grants: GAUK (Grant Agency of 50.6 mm and 3DRY= 30.4 mm (Přívlaky). The CA analysis indicates these Charles University) No. 3239/2004 and GAČR (Grant Agency of the Czech palaeoclimatic parameters, i.e. MAT = 15.7–19.9 °C, CMMT = 2.2–7.1 °C, Republic) Nos. 205/04/0099 and 205/06/P007. WMMT = 25.7–28.0 °C, MAP = 979.0–1281.0 mm (the Hlavačov Gravel and

141 A NEW LOOK AT SUBLEPIDOPHLOIOS STERZEL

Barry A. Thomas1 and Yanaki Tenchov2 1Institute of Rural Sciences, University of Wales Aberystwyth, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth. Ceredigion SY23 3AL, United Kingdom 2 Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Street, Block 24, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

This is a new study of the Carboniferous arborescent lycophyte adpressions while others are three dimensionally in clay ironstone giv- genus Sublepidophloios Sterzel. It is a genus of lepidodendroid stems ing a clear picture of the leaf cushions as they must have appeared in life. that have some intermediate characters between the very much more We, therefore, refer to this genus Sublepidophloios intermedius Patteiski, common genera Lepidodendron Sternberg and Lepidophloios Sternberg. Sublepidophloios giganteus (Tenchov) comb. nov., Subepidophloios pro- Sterzel’s original illustrations show that the leaf cushions his new spe- truberans (Lesquereux) comb. nov., Sublepidophloios ventricosus Hop- cies Sublepidophlois hagenbachensis have the overall elongated shape ping 1956, figs 1–3, Sublepidophloios giganteus (Tenchov) comb. nov. of Lepidodendron but that their central portions, bearing the leaf scars, Although this genus is intermediate in characters between Lepidoden- bulge outwardly and downwardly as in Lepidophloios. After re-examin- dron and Lepidophloios we make no suggestion that it is an intermediary ing Sterzel’s illustrations and a number of specimens we are confident stage in an evolutionary sequence from Lepidodendron to Lepidophloios. that Sublepidophloios is a discrete genus. Some of these specimens are Indeed, it is more likely that it is not.

PHYTOLITHS PLANT OPAL FROM THE NEW ZEALAND SUBANTARCTIC

Vanessa Thorn Earth Sciences, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

Phytoliths are microscopic particles of opaline silica produced by Canopy surveys, plant collections and soil sampling were complet- many plants. When preserved they provide valuable palaeoecological in- ed for six 16 m2 plots within different vegetation communities on Camp- formation and record local plant growth. They survive oxidation and are bell Island. Twenty-five taxa were recorded of which eleven (all mono- generally robust, but have rarely been studied from the fossil record. cotyledons) produced phytoliths. Soil assemblages comprise predomi- This study tests how accurately dispersed phytoliths in soils from nantly monocotyledon forms, with dicotyledon forms rare or absent. In subantarctic Campbell Island, south of New Zealand, reflect the overly- contrast, the Neogene assemblages from the subantarctic contain both ing extant vegetation cover. This study is important for assessing the monocotyledon and dicotyledon phytoliths indicating a wetland pal- limitations of interpreting the past using modern analogues and makes aeoenvironment (similar to the modern) with a shrub/tree component, a significant contribution to knowledge of high latitude modern phyto- but rare grasses (dissimilar to the modern). lith production and preservation.

MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION IN EARLY LAND PLANTS: MODELING, PHYLOGENY AND THE FOSSIL RECORD

Alexandru Mihai F. Tomescu1, Gar W. Rothwell2 and Lisa M. Pratt3 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

Fossils are frequently incorporated in evolutionary hypotheses ei- ized sedimentologically as littoral to deltaic and fluvial. Chemical analy- ther as contributors of novel character combinations, or as calibration ses are conducted in parallel with morpho-anatomical characterization points for dating clade origins. A more rarely explored, yet equally pow- of fossils in an effort to resolve systematic affinities and to characterize erful, application of the fossil record is to provide independent tests for depositional settings. C/S ratios of the fossiliferous matrix at three locali- evolutionary hypotheses derived from phylogenetic studies or biophys- ties are characteristic of freshwater deposits and corroborate sedimen- ical modeling. Two examples concern hypotheses of morphological ev- tological data supporting a non-marine origin for the fossils. Organic olution during the colonization of land by eukaryotic autotrophs, and in matter at the same localities is enriched significantly (by 8–10 permil) the phylogeny of basal embryophytes. Biophysical modeling individu- in 13C compared to age-equivalent marine phytoplankton. These values ates cylinders (axial morphologies) and oblate spheroids (thalloid mor- combined with the sedimentary settings of fossils, indicate terrestrial phologies) as optimal geometries of land-dwelling photoautotrophs, photosynthetic organisms. and oblate spheroids as optimal geometries of semiaquatic photoau- Combined with data form mid-Silurian and younger assemblages totrophs. The prevailing hypothesis for streptophyte phylogeny pro- from the Anglo-Welsh basin of Britain, the Appalachian fossil record poses a succession of archetypal morphologies for basal embryophytes shows a transition from biotas consisting exclusively of thalloid forms that starts with thalloid gametophytes bearing sessile sporophytes and in the Ordovician, to biotas including axial forms but dominated by leads to axial gametophytes bearing axial sporophytes. thalloid morphologies in the Late Silurian, to biotas dominated by axial Late Ordovician to Late Silurian fossil biotas in the Appalachian morphologies by the Early Devonian. This suggests that the biophysi- basin of eastern North America comprise a stratigraphically extensive cal potential of axial morphologies highlighted by modeling was not megascopic record of terrestrial colonization in the Early Paleozoic. Fos- exploited by the earliest terrestrial photoautotrophs, whether they sil assemblages of carbonaceous compressions occur in rocks character- were algae, lichens, or embryophytes. The fossil biotas might also

142 record a more subtle transition from semiaquatic, ephemeral habitats structural support. In an ecological perspective, the terrestrial macro- of variable unfavorableness, to fully terrestrial habitats. The macrofos- fossil record suggests that associations of thalloid and crustose organ- sil record supports the archetypal embryophyte morphologies derived isms similar to extant biological soil crusts and ubiquitous in the earliest from phylogeny, and suggests that the rise of axial morphology as the terrestrial biotas, were gradually displaced by axial photosynthesizers, dominant body plan may have been directly linked to the evolution of surviving only in habitats inaccessible to the latter, where they are pri- biosynthetic pathways for lignin as a compound providing significant marily found today.

LATE GLACIAL AND EARLY HOLOCENE VEGETATION HISTORY IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN BULGARIA

Spassimir Tonkov1, Elissaveta Bozilova1 and Göran Possnert2 1 Sofia University, Department of Botany, Laboratory of Palynology, 8 Dragan Tzankov blvd., Sofia-1164, Bulgaria 2Angstrom Laboratory, Division of Ion Physics, 14C–Lab, Uppsala University, Lagerhyddsv. 1, Uppsala, Sweden

An overview of the Late Glacial and Early Holocene vegetation his- a response to the interstadial climatic improvement was confined to tory in the high mountains of southern Bulgaria (Rila, Northern Pirin, the time interval 12 100–11 140 14C yrs. BP. In the course of the last Late Western Rhodopes) is presented, based on results obtained from pollen Glacial climatic reversal, coincident with the Younger Dryas stadial, the and plant macrofossil analyses of sediments from glacial lakes and peat- herb vegetation re-advanced while the tree stands moved down along bogs, and supported by radiocarbon dates. The vegetation response to the slopes. Similar Late Glacial vegetation pattern is established also for the climatic fluctuations for the time window 13 000–10 000 14C yrs. BP the Northern Pirin Mts. and the Western Rhodopes Mts. The re-foresta- in the Rila Mts. is bound for the first time to a detailed chronological tion dynamics in early Holocene times (10 000–7 000 14C yrs. BP.) in the framework. The delimitation of an interstadial/stadial cycle, analogous study area started with the initial spread of Betula forests with groups of with the Bølling/Allerød-Younger Dryas from Western Europe, is based Pinus at higher altitudes and deciduous Quercus forests with abundant on important changes in the pollen stratigraphy. Mountain-steppe Ulmus, Tilia, Corylus and Fraxinus below them. The time of the maximum herb vegetation composed of Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae and spread of Corylus was coincident with the establishment of Abies in the other cold-resistant herbs, with isolated stands of Pinus and Juniperus- Rila and Pirin Mts. and the beginning of the formation of a coniferous Ephedra shrubland, dominated the landscape at high elevation after the belt, while in the Western Rhodopes Mts. mixed coniferous-deciduous ice-retreat. The spread of deciduous and coniferous trees (Quercus, Tilia, forests were shaped considerably later at ca. 5 000 14C yrs. BP. Corylus, Carpinus, Abies, Picea) from their refugia at lower elevation as

TOWARDS THE INTERPRETATION OF THE GENUS TUBELA IN VIEW OF A NEW FINDING IN K AZAKHSTAN

Polina Tropina Komarov Botanical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Paleobotany, St. Petersburg, Russia

The extinct Tertiary genus Tubela is established on the basis of fruits differ from those in Alnus when observed in plane view with the light by Dorofeev (1982) and comprises 18 species previously assigned to microscope. Myrica, Alnus, and Betula. Our study of a new Aquitanian locality Kumyr- The fruits of Tubela, as indicated by Dorofeev and supported by our tas (Central Kazakhstan) has yielded a variety of fruits of Tubela cf. de- data, show a great similarity to those of the East Asian species of Betula. cipiens P. Dorof., several fruits of Tubela tavdensis P. Dorof., and a few The major difference of Tubela from these Betula forms consists in the fruits similar to those of Tubela tomskiana P. Dorof. Fruit scales of Alnus organization of the fruit scales (known for species from the section and numerous fragments of male catkins of Betula and Alnus with pollen Tubela): the Tubela scales have rudimentary lobes while in Betula these have been found as well. are well-developed. This fact, together with the simultaneous similarity Fruits of various modern species of Alnus s. l. (including Duschekia) to both Betula and Alnus can testify to Tubela being indeed a separate and Betula, and those of some species of Tubela were examined to define fossil genus. At the same time, Tubela shares with Betula the presence of more precisely the generic carpological characters of the three genera. three lobes in the fruit scales, which encourages reducing the genus to Dorofeev pointed out that Tubela fruits combine intricately the extinct forms of Betula. The final conclusion, however, is hindered by the features of modern Betula, Alnus, and partly Duschekia. The simultane- lack of clear distinctive characters between some types of similar fruits ous similarity of Tubela fruits to some species among both Betula and occurring in Betula and Alnus, so the genus Tubela could be probably Alnus can be traced indeed for many characters, like the overall appear- preserved as a morpho-taxon. This was mentioned by Friis (1985), and ance, the pericarp anatomy, or the exocarp pattern. The most consistent Dorofeev himself, before having established the new genus, referred its across Betula and Alnus, in our view, besides the fruit outline and the species to Betula while suggesting to regard them as a separate genus size of attachment scar, are the pubescence of the fruit surface and the for practical palaeobotanical purposes (Dorofeev, 1967). We incline to shape of the exocarp cells. Unfortunately, pubescence of this kind often accept the latter point if view and think that part of Tubela species can does not endure the fossilization. There are specimens of T. baltica in the represent ancient forms of Betula. Some Tubela fruits from Kumyrtas also collection with remnants of several hairs discernible apically, although seem to be the fruits of a fossil species of Betula close to those from the most fruits lack hairs. The exocarp cells in fruits of Tubela and Betula also section Costatae.

143 ECOTONE STATUS OF SHAIM REGION NORTHWEST OF WESTERN SIBERIA IN THE MIDDLE JUR ASSIC

Anna N. Trubicyna Institute of petroleum geology SB RAS, Koptyug av., 3, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

During the Middle Jurassic the Western Siberian sedimentary basin (9, 10) of the palynostratigraphic scale of Siberia (Ilyina, 1997). Taxonomy was a vast lacustrine alluvial plain with grade under 500 m. The vegeta- composition of palynological assemblages invariably exhibits the char- tion of this area was represented by conifers-pteridophytes-maiden- acteristic features of the Siberian palynoflora. It is characterized by the hair-tree’s forests mainly. Northern area was periodically flooded by sea. highest diversity (for Bajocian) of Pteridophyta and their quantitative Palynological data evidences on the floristic homogeneity of all Siberia’s domination over other taxa. In the Bathonian the expansion of Gymno- territory during the Bajocian. Climate aridisation in the Bathonian caused spermae and the appearance of cryptogamous and conifers plant spe- the realignment of Siberian flora. In the opinion of V. I. Ilyina (1985) there cies were typical for all regions of Siberia. Nevertheless, an influence of were few types of plant formations on the Western Siberia’s territory in the Indio-European flora is observed on Bathonian palynological assem- the Bathonian. Palaeobotanical and palynological investigations of the blages. The main result of this influence is the relatively high percentage last century allow the interpretation of the territory of Eurasia as two of Sciadopitespollenites macroverrucosus (Sach. et Iljina) Iljina which is palaeophytogeographic areas (Vahrameev, 1988). It is reasonable that regarded as the pollen of subtropical genus Sciadopitys Siebold et Zuc- there were floristic connections between subtropical Indio-European carini. According to the conception of Zauer and Mchedlishvili (1966) phytogeographic area and temperate Siberian phytogeographic area. these plants grew near the boundary of the continent and large areas of The area considering now as ecotone between two palaeofloristic areas water. Other characteristics of the Bathonian palynological assemblag- includes the eastern part of Timano-Pechora basin and, in our opinion, es, which can be considered as the features of a subtropical flora: the north-western part of Western Siberian plain. Undoubtedly the ecotone appearance and development of Pteridophyte families Gleicheniaceae area’s boundaries are still the subject of accurate definition. and Dicksoniaceae, including the indispensable Indio-European species The results of investigations of Middle Jurassic palynology of Shaim (for example Dicksonia magnifica Mensh.); the increasing taxonomic di- region evidence that this area belongs to the ecotone. Palynological versity of Gymnospermae and dominant change within this group; the studies allow the establishment of Bajocian and Bathonian palynozones appearance of the pollen of Classopollis.

SOME PRELIMINARY DATA ABOUT THE TAXONOMICAL COMPOSITION AND PALAEOECOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF THE MIOCENE FOSSIL FLOR A OF BALDEVO FORMATION SOUTHWEST BULGARIA

Boris Tsenov Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany, Sofia, acad. G. Bonchev str. Bl. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria, e-mail: [email protected]

The Miocene is an important stage of the development of the Ter- material originated from surface excavations and was collected in the tiary flora of Europe. Its special place is determinate by the fact that area of the opencast coal mine Kanina, situated 1.5 km to the North of during the Miocene the European Tertiary flora goes through deep Ognjanovo village (Gotse Delchev district, South-West of Bulgaria). The changes, accompanied by serious changes in climate conditions that material consists of about 2000 fossil leaf imprints. About 500 of them lead to a total reorganization of the European vegetation. The present are examined and described. About 50 species belonging to the fami- study represents some preliminary data about the taxonomical compo- lies of Pinaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Cupressaceae, Lauraceae, Fagaceae, sition of the Miocene flora of the Baldevo Formation (Southwest Bul- Betulaceae, Juglandaceae, Ericaceae, Ulmaceae, Fabaceae, Sapindace- garia). The investigated flora is interesting from the point of view of its ae, Aceraceae, Meliaceae, Vitaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Oleaceae are deter- location. It is located between the ancient Tethys and Paratethys basins, minate. For each of the determinate fossil taxons the biostratigraphical which is an important area for explaining the origin and evolution of range, recent analogues and their ecological types were defined which the present-Mediterranean flora and vegetation and can provide a lot gave some information about the age and ecological composition of of data about connections of this flora with the floras of West Europe the investigated fossil flora. A comparison between the areas of the fos- and Asia. In other words this area is situated on the crossroad of interest- sil taxons and their recent analogues was made. The obtained data are ing changes that occurred during the Miocene. The investigated fossil still under discussion.

PALYNOMORPHOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PLANTAGINACEAE S. SR.: A PHYLOGENETIC PERSPECTIVE

Zoya M. Tsymbalyuk1 and Sergei L. Mosyakin1 1 M. G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2 Tereshchenkivska Street, Kyiv (Kiev), 01601, Ukraine, e-mail: [email protected]

The newly emerging phylogenetic schemes based on molecular naceae s.str. (mostly Plantago L. s.l.) using LM and SEM. The main goal approaches provide excellent opportunities for testing hypotheses on was to reveal significant evolutionary/phylogenetic traits in pollen char- evolution of pollen characters within monophyletic clades. We studied acters within the group. morphological peculiarities of pollen grains of 35 species of Plantagi- Pollen grains polyporate, spheroid or occasionally oblate in shape,

144 18.6–44.0 µm in diameter, with (3)4–14 pores 2.3–6.6 µm in diameter. An- and the largest number of pores. Pollen grains in sections Plantago and nuli (0.8–1.6 µm) formed by the thickened exine were observed in some Mesembrynia are similar in having small tubercles and pores without an- pollen grains. Exine 1.1–1.9 µm thick. The mesoporium surface spinu- nuli and opercula. Some species of sect. Plantago (P. cornuti, P. media and lose-tuberculate, complex, formed by sculptural (spinules) and struc- P. urvillei) can be distinguished by their pollen characters. Pollen grains tural elements (tubercles). Spinules conical, 0.1–0.2 µm at the base. in Plantago subg. Psyllium have with small tubercles. Pollen of some spe- Pollen grains in Plantago subg. Albicans sections Lanceifolia, Albi- cies (P. sempervirens, P. arenaria) can be distinguished by a complex of cans and Hymenopsyllium have similar mesoporium sculpture patterns characters. Pollen grains in Plantago subg. Littorella (often treated as (small tubercles). However, pores in sect. Lanceifolia have distinct an- a separate genus) also have small tubercles, but they are distant from nuli and opercula; pollen in taxa of sect. Albicans have operculate pores each other, which has not been observed in representatives of other without annuli. Pollen grains in sect. Hymenopsyllium have tubercles of subgenera. a peculiar shape; pores lack annuli and opercula. Pollen grains in sec- We compared our results with various taxonomic schemes and data tions Bauphula and Montana have large tubercles; pores in sect. Bau- of recent molecular phylogenetic studies of Plantago s.l. Patterns of phula are operculate. Pollen grains in Plantago subg. Coronopus sect. distribution of palynomorphological characters among clades and in- Maritima have leveled tubercles and pores with indistinct annuli. Sect. frageneric taxa correspond better to molecular phylogenetic patterns. Coronopus is characterized by small tubercles and distinct annuli. Pol- However, better taxon sampling is desirable for clarification of patterns len grains in subg. Plantago sect. Micropsyllium have leveled tubercles of morphological evolution of pollen grains in Plantago s. str.

INTEGR ATIVE PALAEOCLIMATE ANALYSIS OF PALAEOBOTANICAL PROXIES  AN EXAMPLE FROM THE MIDDLE MIOCENE OF SOUTHERN GERMANY

Dieter Uhl1, Angela A. Bruch2, Christopher Traiser 3 and Stefan Klotz 3 1 Villenstraße 13, 67433 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany; e-mail: [email protected] 3 Institut für Geowissenschaften, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Sigwartstr. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany

We present a detailed palaeoclimate analysis of the Middle Miocene consistency of the results obtained by CA, by LMA, and by ELPA, it is sug- (uppermost Badenian-lowermost Sarmatian) Schrotzburg locality in S- gested that for the Schrotzburg locality CLAMP is probably less reliable Germany, based on the fossil macro- and microflora, using four different than most other methods. A possible explanation may be attributed to methods for the estimation of palaeoclimate parameters: the Coexist- the correlation between leaf physiognomy and climate as represented ence Approach (CA), leaf margin analysis (LMA), the Climate-Leaf Analy- by the CLAMP calibration data-set which is largely based on extant flo- sis Multivariate Program (CLAMP), as well as a recently developed mul- ras from N America and E Asia and which may be not suitable for appli- tivariate leaf physiognomic approach based on an European calibration cation to the European Neogene. All physiognomic methods used here dataset (ELPA). Considering results of all methods used, the following were affected by taphonomic biasses. Especially the number of taxa had palaeoclimate estimates seem to be most likely: mean annual tempera- a great influence on the reliability of the palaeoclimate estimates. Both ture ~ 15–16 °C, coldest month mean temperature ~ 7 °C (CMMT), warm- multivariate leaf physiognomic approaches are less influenced by such est month mean temperature between 25 and 26 °C, and mean annual biasses than the univariate LMA. In combination with previously pub- precipiation ~ 1300 mm, although CMMT values may have been colder lished results from the European and Asian Neogene, our data suggest as indicated by the disappearance of the crocodile Diplocynodon and that during the Neogene in Eurasia CLAMP may produce temperature the temperature thresholds derived from modern alligators. For most estimates which are systematically too cold as compared to other evi- palaeoclimatic parameters, estimates derived by CLAMP significantly dence. This pattern, however, has to be further investigated using ad- differ from those derived by most other methods. With respect to the ditional palaeofloras.

FILLING A GAP IN THE FOSSIL RECORD OF CHARCOAL  RECENT RECORDS OF PERMIAN WILDFIRES

Dieter Uhl1, André Jasper2 and Abdallah M.B. Abu Hamad3 1 Villenstraße 13, D-67433 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Setor de Botânica e Paleobotânica do MCN/UNIVATES, UNIVATES, Rua Avelino Tallini, 171 – CEP 95.900-000, Lajeado, RS, Brazil 3 Geology Division, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan

Until a few years ago only scattered data from the northern hemi- (Gzhelian-Sakmarian), ii) the Rio Bonito Formation of Rio Grande do Sul sphere hinted on the occurrence of Permian wildfires and the wildfire- (S-Brazil) (Kungurian), iii) the Zechstein of Frankenberg in NW-Hesse and origin of many southern hemispheric occurences has been a matter of Culmitzsch in Thuringia (both Germany) (Wuchiapingian) and iv) the Um debate over the last two decades. However, in the last few years various Irna Formation at Wadi Himara (Jordan) (Changhsingian). studies have demonstrated clearly that wildfires were a part of many These records, together with other recently published Permian Permian ecosystems. records from N-America, Gondwana and China help to fill a gap in the Here we demonstrate some evidence from our own studies on Per- fossil record of charcoal as direct evidence of palaeo-wildfires. We sug- mian charcoal from four different stratigraphical levels from Europe, gest that at least some of the remaining gaps in the fossil record of this Northern Gondwana, as well as Western Gondwana. Our examples proxy can probably be explained by taphonomic reasons and/or insuf- come from: i) the Rotliegend of the Saar-Nahe Basin (SW-Germany) ficient sampling.

145 REFINING THE ECOLOGICAL CHAR ACTERISATION OF LATE PERMIAN GYMNOSPERMS BY COMBINING MORPHOLOGY WITH CUTICULAR AND INTERNALANATOMY

Dieter Uhl1, Hans Kerp2 and Wolfram M. Kuerschner3 1Villenstraße 13, D-67433 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2Forschungsstelle für Paläobotanik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Hindenburgplatz 57, D-48143 Münster, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 3Palaeoecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, NL-3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

Due to the lack of close living relatives, the ecological characteri- Ilmenau in Thuringia. At this locality conifer remains occur which have sation of many Palaeozoic and most Mesozoic gymnosperms is usu- been permineralised with calcite. Anatomical data strongly support pre- ally based on the functional interpretation of a combination of selected vious ecological interpretations based on gross morphology and cuticu- morphological traits and cuticular adaptations. Ecological interpreta- lar anatomy of this taxon. tions based on individual features are less reliable due to functional ii) Peltaspermum martinsii (Germar) Poort and Kerp from Geismar in convergences, as we know from a variety of studies on modern plants NW-Hesse. At this locality peltasperm remains occur which have been adapted to different environments. Due to the lack of relevant informa- permineralised with pyrite and/or calcite. Anatomical data are not in ab- tion on many Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic plants, internal anatomy has solute agreement with previous reconstructions of this taxon as having so far only been rarely used for the ecological characterisation of such rather thick and fleshy leaves, interpreted as a xerophytic adaptation. fossils. Exceptions are the well known Carboniferous coal-balls, which Nevertheless, the internal anatomy does not totally contradict a poten- provided a wealth of information on internal anatomy of plants inhab- tial xerophytic adaptation of this taxon. iting the rather humid coal forming swamps, whereas evidence from Our data from these taxa largely support previous ecological char- mesic or even arid environments is rare. acterisations, which were based solely on gross morphology and cuticu- In the present study examples from the Upper Permian Zechstein lar adaptations. However, as a comparison with selected modern plants of Germany, we combine three lines of evidence (i.e. morphology, cu- demonstrates even a combination of cuticular adaptations and internal ticular adaptations, and internal anatomy) to refine the ecological char- anatomy can be misleading in particular cases. Further studies on func- acterisation of the individual taxa, probably originating from relatively tional anatomical adaptations of modern plant groups related to Palae- dry environments: ozoic and Mesozoic gymnosperms may help to improve the ecological i)Ullmannia frumentaria (Schlotheim ex Brongniart) Göppert from characterisation of these plants.

A COMBINED PALEOBOTANICAL AND MODELLING PERSPECTIVE ON LATEST CRETACEOUS CLIMATE

Garland R. Upchurch, Jr. Texas State University, San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas, 78666, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

Ever since the publications of Wolfe and Upchurch, paleobotanists less than the gradient simulated by early-generation Earth-System models have used foliar physiognomy and allied methods to reconstruct Late such as GENESIS. Multiple regression metrics also indicate higher MAT at Cretaceous vegetation and climate. Much research has focused on lat- middle latitudes, but with a gradient for North America of only 0.2–0.35 °C est Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) climates because of their relevance to per degree of latitude. Equatorial MAT was probably warmer than that of the terminal Cretaceous extinctions. Climate scientists have focused on the Recent, because many temperatures estimated for 30–35° latitude are modelling climates of the mid- and Late Cretaceous because they serve nearly as warm as modern equatorial temperatures. This contradicts evi- as an example of warm climates of the geologic past. Paleobotanists dence from oxygen isotopes for low equatorial sea-surface temperatures and climate modellers often are at odds with one another because of and implies that much of latest Cretaceous warmth resulted from green- discrepancies between paleobotanical evidence for climatic warmth, house forcing, which increases surface temperature at both low and high and climate model output suggestive of cool temperatures at high lati- latitudes. Cold-Month Means greater than 1 °C occur in coastal areas pole- tudes and in continental interiors. ward of 60° in the Northern Hemisphere and 65° in the Southern Hemi- Analysis of foliar physiognomy and life forms corroborates the long- sphere, based on the distribution of cold-sensitive plants and fungi. Mean held view that, relative to the Recent, mid- and high-latitude tempera- Annual Range of Temperature is estimated as <15 °C for coastal regions tures were significantly warmer during the latest Cretaceous and latitudi- at latitudes of 60–65°, with values greater (but not well constrained) for nal temperature gradients were at least somewhat lower. New versions of continental interiors. Tropical rainforest climates are restricted in area dur- leaf margin analysis indicate significantly warmer Mean Annual Tempera- ing the Maastrichtian, with small longitudinally discontinuous regions in ture (MAT) at middle and high latitudes and a latitudinal gradient of MAT South America, Africa, and possibly Southeast Asia. This result is predicted for North America of 0.4–0.45 °C per degree of latitude. This is slightly less by climate model simulations and may be related to the size of the South than the average coastal gradient of 0.5 °C for the Recent and significantly Atlantic and Tethys Oceans.

146 CLIMATE AND VEGETATION CHANGE IN THE LATE NEOGENE OF NORTHWEST GERMANY

Torsten Utescher1, Abdul R. Ashraf2 and Volker Mosbrugger3 1 Geological Institute, Bonn University, Bonn, 53115, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute for Geosciences, Tübingen University, Tübingen, 72076, Germany, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Seckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt/M, 60325, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

The palaeobotanical record of the northwest German Lower Rhine phytic vegetation to mixed deciduous vegetation near the Miocene / Basin allows for a case study on interactions between climate and veg- Pliocene boundary, fundamental changes of the peat forming vegeta- etation change during the late Neogene. A sequence stratigraphical tion, as well as the increasing importance of herbs and grasses in the concept recently developed provides the framework for correlations Pliocene. All these data are then combined in order to study interactions with other continental regions and global patterns. The palaeoclimate of climate and vegetation change as well as the impact of global events evolution of the northwest German Cenozoic has been reconstructed on the regional ecosystems of the Neogene Lower Rhine Basin, such as from macrofloras using the Coexistence approach. The climate curves the spreading of C4 grassland and the drying of continental interiors in reflect major global trends, such as cooling during the late Miocene and Eurasia (ca. 8.5 Ma), the growing of the West Antarctic ice-sheet (ca. 6– decreasing climate stability in the Pliocene. In addition, detailed palyno- 7 Ma), and the closure of the Panama Seaway (ca. 5 Ma). It is shown that logical studies exist for numerous wells and profiles of the Lower Rhine in northwest Germany, angiosperm herbs and grasses became more Basin. diverse form the beginning of the Pliocene on. In this continental area In the present study, additional data for various climate variables characterized by all over humid conditions, percentages stayed at a low are calculated from microfloras in order to improve the temporal res- level. Major vegetational changes occurred at the top of the Tortonian, olution of the records based on macrofloras. On the other hand, the time-equivalent to significant cooling, and within the Zanclean, linked palynomorph assemblages provide information on vegetation cover to a decreasing trend observed for temperature and precipitation. and patterns changing in time, such as the transition from mixed meso-

PALAEOCLIMATE AND VEGETATION CHANGES DURING THE RUPELIAN AND THE MIDDLE MIOCENE OF THE POMER ANIAN LAKELAND AREA NW POLAND

Torsten Utescher1, Barbara Slodkowska2, Abdul R. Ashraf3 and Volker Mosbrugger4 1 Geological Institut, Bonn University, Nussallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany 2 Polish Geological Institut, Rakowiecka 4, PL-00-975 Warszawa, Poland 3 Institute for Geosciences, Tübingen Universität, Sigwartstrasse 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany 4 Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt / Main, Germany

Recent palynological studies carried out on Paleogene to Neogene mean annual precipitation over 1 200 mm. Very warm conditions are deposits of the Pomerian Lakeland area (NW Poland) provide a detailed observed in the Langhian part of the Komorza and Losiny record, the reconstruction of vegetation and environmental change. Here, palyno- time-span of the globally observed Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum. In logical records of the Komorza and Losiny wells, displaying Rupelian the Serravallian, temperatures and precipitation rates significantly de- sediments as well as Langhian to Serravallian browncoal cycles, are clined, and for some climate variables an increasing variability can be analyzed with respect to palaeoclimate. Quantitative climate data with stated. The observed climate evolution is discussed in the context of the respect to 5 different temperature and precipitation variables are cal- succeeding phases of plant communities previously reconstructed. In culated for a total of 78 microfloras using the Coexistence Approach. In addition, chronostratigraphical data available for the sections allows the Komorza climate record, a very warm and wet type of climate is indi- for a comparison with time-equivalent palaeoclimate records from the cated for the Rupelian, with mean annual temperature around 18 °C and northwest German Neogene.

FAMILY POACEAE IN BULGARIAN TERTIARY FLOR A

Krassimira Uzunova Departament of Botany, Biological Faculty, Sofia University, Sofia, 1164, Bulgaria, e-mail: [email protected]

The appearance of the family Poaceae in fossil records is pointed (L) Parl. are autochthonous and connected with the lakes and marches. out for Paleocene or early Eocene. Till the Miocene the family is poorly Some of the described species are dispersed cuticles and have been recorded. The first macrofossil in Bulgarian palaeoflora is Bambusa lug- reported as Graminophyllum sp. Three species are pericarps and one is dunensis Saporta & Marion from Oligocene. During the Middle and Late glume. The dispersed cuticles are small pieces and it is impossible to be Miocene many grasses have been discovered. A few of them are macro- compared with enormous number of recent species and be determinat- fossils (foliage), most of findings are microfossils like pericarps and dis- ed more precisely. The abundance of Poaceae representatives (11 spe- persed cuticles. Some of the species – Phragmites inopinatus (Weland) cies) was observed during the Pontian-Dacian age and it is connected Juchniewicz, Ph. oeningensis A. Braun ex Heer and Puccinelia cf. distans with the climatic changes and global expanses of grasses.

147 SUMMARY ON THE FLOR A OF THE KLIKOV FORMATION

Zuzana Váchová1 and Jiří Kvaček2 1 Charles University, Prague, Albertov 6, Praha 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected] 2 National Museum, Prague, Václavské nám. 68, 115 79, Praha 1, Czech Republic, e-mail: [email protected]

The Klikov Formation is situated in the Třeboň and České Budějovice beya haldemiana (Sap. et Mar.) Knobl., Debeya coriacea (Velen.) Knobl., Basins in South Bohemia. It is of Late Santonian to Early Campanian age. Quercophyllum pseudodrimejum (Velen.) Němejc, Credneria senonensis It has been mostly studied by E. Knobloch, F. Němejc and Z. Kvaček. Most (Knobl.) Němejc et Z. Kvaček. Credneria senonensis is a very interesting fossils have been found in the localities Zliv near Hluboká, Borek, Hak- taxon. For its leaf heterophylly it was assigned to several genera Arali- lovy dvory, Petrovice and Klikov. The flora is represented by bryophytes ophyllum, Pseudoprotophyllum, Platanophyllum, Cinnamomophyllum till (Notothylacites filiformis Němejc et Pacltová), pteridophytes (Equisetum Němejc and Z. Kvaček (1975) studied its cuticle. Leaves of Debeya insignis sp. and Filicites sp.), but major part of the described fossil plants are as- are pentafoliate, but usually they are found as isolated leafleats. Němejc signed to gymnosperms and angiosperms. Geinitzia reichenbachii (Gein- (1961) described more species Quercophyllum gracile (Debey et Ett.) itz) Hollick et Jeffrey, coniferous shoots with leaves about 6 mm long, Němejc, Ettingshausenia laevis (Velen.) comb. nov., Araliophyllum elonga- Podozamites sp. and Pitophyllum sp. Z. Kvaček and F. Němejc suggested, tum Němejc from the locality Klikov. Numerous fragments of fossil plant that ovuliferous cones of the genus “Dammara” borealis Heer may be remains from all mentioned localities are not possible to classify for their associated with Geinitzia reichenbachii (Geinitz) Hollick et Jeffrey. Fossil poor preservation, they are determinated as Dicotylophyllum sp. remains of angiosperms are most abundant. Species determined up to According to preliminary data by A.B. Herman and J. Kvaček (2002), now from localities Zliv, Borky and Haklovy dvory are as follows: Proteo- based on specimens published by Němejc and Z. Kvaček (1975), the pal- phyllum lanceolatum Němejc et Z. Kvaček, Proteophyllum laminarium Ve- aeoclimate in that time was humid subtropical to temperate. CLAMP len., Grevilleophyllum constans (Velen.) Velen., Cocculophyllum extinctum analysis indicated Mean Annual Temperature about 15 °C and Mean An- (Velen.) Němejc et Z. Kvaček, Debeya insignis (Hos. et Mar.)Knobl., De- nual precipitation about 1300 mm.

LATE NEOGENE PRECIPITATION PREDICTIONS ON THE BASIS OF SMALLMAMMAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE

Jan A. van Dam Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands, P.O. 80021, 3508 TA, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

Eight precipitation maps at ~1 Myr resolution for the Late Neogene of the Subtropical High Pressure Zone (SHPZ) is hypothesized, which is (12–3 Ma) of Europe and Anatolia are presented. Estimated values for also consistent with the predicted onset of seasonal (summer) dryness mean annual precipitation and precipitation in the driest month are between 10 and 8 Ma. based on present-day relations between small-mammal community The maximum extension of the ETWZ at 12–9 Ma temporally corre- structure and rainfall. The new proxy methods include regressions of lates with Northern Hemisphere cooling, suggesting that climate zona- precipitation on diet (Invertivory Index) and locomotion/habitat (Arbo- tion rather than the global amount of atmospheric moisture controlled reality Index). European climate at this time. Uplift of the Tibetan plateau is the best Predicted absolute precipitation values and trends for the late Neo- candidate for explaining the main aridification in Europe at 9–8 Ma, re- gene fit surprisingly well with estimations based on plant proxies and are sulting in a northward extension/shifting of the Subtropical High Pres- consistent with climate model predictions. The results show a large, wet sure Zone, and the transition towards a less zonal circulation. (800–1200 mm/yr) zone extending from Northern Spain to the Ukraine Pliocene Uplift in Eastern Europe (Carpathians, shrinking of the between 12 and 9 Ma, suggesting the whole-year penetration of large Paratethys) could well explain the observed continued aridification in amounts of moisture far into the continent. Between 10–9 and 5 Ma, this this area and associated sharpening of east-west precipitation gradients European Temperate Wet Zone (ETWZ) shrinks and/or moves, resulting across the continent. in diachronous northward aridification. A coeval northward migration

SEAGR ASS FOLIAGE FROM THE MAASTRICHTIAN TYPE AREA LATE CRETACEOUS, EARLY TERTIARY, NE BELGIUM, SE NETHERLANDS

Raymond W. J. M. van der Ham1, Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert1, 2 and Ludo Indeherberge3 1 Nationaal Herbarium Nederland, Leiden branch, P.O. Box 9514, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands 2 Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands 3 Reuvoortweg 63, 3520 Zonhoven, Belgium

In comparison to the rich Santonian deposits of the coastal/terres- Debey ex Miquel, but so far they were not found attached. Although the trial, sandy/clayey Aken Formation, the marine biocalcarenites in the Maastrichtian and Danian material is quite diverse, it is considered here Maastrichtian type area (Campanian, Maastrichtian and Danian; SE Neth- as a single species: Thalassotaenia debeyi gen. nov., sp. nov. The Campa- erlands, NE Belgium and adjacent parts of Germany) yield only few plant nian material is attributed to Zosterites. Comparison of T. debeyi with the macrofossils. Besides the scarce conifer twigs, dicot leaves and pieces of extant seagrasses shows that there is not an easy match with one of the wood, however, seagrass remains, including stems, roots and leaves, are families or genera. Amphibolis and Thalassodendron (Cymodoceaceae) relatively common. They include the oldest known representatives of and Posidonia (Posidoniaceae) show the greatest resemblance. There- this group of angiosperms. A detailed description of the leaves will be fore, Thalassotaenia is considered as a possible ancestor in the Cymo- given. Possibly, these leaves belong to stems known as Thalassocharis doceaceae-Posidoniaceae-Ruppiaceae clade found in several phylo-

148 genetic analyses. These phylogenetic analyses have demonstrated the charitaceae clade and Zosteraceae clade). Because Thalassotaenia leaves polyphyletic origin of the seagrasses in three separate clades (besides also show some features not found in any of the extant seagrasses, it is the Cymodoceaceae-Posidoniaceae-Ruppiaceae clade also the Hydro- not unthinkable that they represent another, extinct seagrass clade.

EVOLUTION OF PLANT LIFE DURING THE TRIASSIC AND JUR ASSIC

Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, and National Natural History Museum Naturalis, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

After the Permian/Triassic extinction event, plant life in the Northern and Dipteridaceae appeared and diversified especially in the Triassic hemisphere recovered relatively slowly; it took c. 4.5 Ma (the whole of and Jurassic. Two groups of Gymnosperms that are still extant but rare, the Early Triassic) before the vegetation was comparable to that before bloomed during the Mesozoic: the Cycadales, including the now extinct the extinction event. At first there was only a low-diversity assemblage family of the Nilssoniaceae, and the Gingkoales. Both groups occurred dominated by e.g. Pleuromeia. Later Pleuromeia was stepwise replaced worldwide and were much more diversified than nowadays. Mesozoic by plants such as ferns and shrubby and herbaceous gymnosperms seedferns had fronds that looked less like those of ferns than their Pal- (such as Aetophyllum) returned and by the beginning of the Middle aeozoic relatives. Peltaspermales, such as Scytophyllum and Lepidopteris Triassic arborescent conifer species were back. Although cycadophyte with their disk-like fructifications, occurred worldwide during the Triassic pollen was recorded all through the Permian/Triassic extinction event, but became extinct at the Triassic/Jurassic boundary. Corystospermales the first evidence of macrofossils is from the Anisian of the Dolomites persisted into the Cretaceous, and their foliage (e.g. Pachypteris spe- where even large-leaved Cycads were a major part of the vegetation. cies) might even form whole paper shales in some Jurassic beds. But the Also bennettitaleans such as Pterophyllum were recorded for the first most famous Mesozoic seed fern group is of course the Caytoniales. This time from Anisian floras and these developments were the onset of ‘typ- group with fan-shaped clusters of four leaflets borne terminally on a pet- ical’ Mesozoic vegetation in which not only many families of ferns and iole and with net venation (Sagenopteris) was first interpreted as a group conifers that are still alive today were represented for the first time, but of water ferns related to Marsilea. When their ovules borne in capsules also a number of extinct groups which flourished during the Mesozoic, (‘fruits’) were found, they were considered to be early angiosperms be- such as the already mentioned Bennettitales, but also seedferns such as cause the capsules appeared to be closed, but later work revealed that the Caytoniales and Corystospermales, and the enigmatic group of the indeed these capsules were gymnosperm in organisation. Czekanowskiales. Where these groups evolved from is not clear. They During the Triassic some more primitive conifers were still present, presumably first appeared in upland habitats, which are not normally such as Aetophyllum and the Voltziales, but during the Triassic and represented in the fossil record, but whether this was in the late Palaeo- Jurassic a number of living families appear, such as the Podocarpaceae, zoic or the very early Mesozoic is not known. Pinaceae, Araucariaceae and Taxodiaceae. But in addition to representa- The result was a typical Mesozoic vegetation dominating lowland tives of these living families, there are a number of highly developed habitats between the Late Triassic and the Middle Cretaceous (when extinct families found in the Mesozoic of which the Cheirolepidiaceae the angiosperms started to diversify). Lycopsids and Sphenopsids oc- is the most important. There is a special symposium dedicated to the curred widely in these floras but were never dominant. Ferns diversified family at this conference. It would carry things too far to discuss the pos- throughout the Mesozoic and many members of living families and even sible evolution of angiosperms during the Triassic and Jurassic in this genera evolved, such as the Marattiaceae, Gleicheniaceae and Osmun- talk, but it seems more or less logical that at least ancestors of this group daceae (all three families persisting from the Permian, but members of might have been present during that time, although in small numbers living genera occurred in the Mesozoic); the Schizaeaceae, Matoniaceae and possibly in upland habitats.

FLOR AL ASSEMBLAGES OF PTERIDOPHYTES AND MONOCOTYLEDONS OF THE PLEISTOCENE OF CENTR AL AND EASTERN EUROPE BASED ON THE CARPOLOGICAL REMAINS.

Feliks Y. Velichkevich1 and Ewa Zastawniak2 1Institute of Geological Sciences, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Zhodinskaya str. 7, 220141 Minsk, Belarus 2Władysław Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz str. 46, 31-512 Cracow, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

The history of the development of Pleistocene continental glacia- semblage has its specific, precisely determined, species composition tions and their influence on the terrestrial flora and vegetation of Europe and their correlation allows a precise determination of the flora to be is best reflected in the deposits of central and eastern Europe, especially made. On the basis of palaeocarpological studies of the Pleistocene in Poland, Belarus and Lithuania, but also partially in those of Latvia and central and eastern Europe one may state with certainty that floras with the Ukraine and the western areas of European Russia. Palaeocarpologi- similar species compositions (floral assemblages) are of the same age, ir- cal studies yield firmer conclusions about stratigraphy. Every floral as- respective of their geographical position in central and eastern Europe.

149 TERTIARY PETRIFIED PALM TREES IN GREECE

Evangelos Velitzelos1, Dimitrios Velitzelos1, Stanila Iamandei2 and Eugenia Puica Iamandei2 1 University of Athens, Greece, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Geological Museum, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

The petrified forest of Lesvos is one of the most important geologi- In the Lower Miocene petrified forest of Lesvos, on which we are cal monuments of the Aegean with world fame and impression in the focusing here, the palm trees are exposed in the NW part of the island, world of geosciences. It was developed before 20 millions in a mild sub- most are standing, and they are found in volcanic tuff at the lower part tropical climate. The uniqueness of the petrified forest is supported by of the section, close to the phyllitic substrate. The area where they are the findings of this highly diversified flora that includes many silicified exposed is wide, and covers both terrestrial and marine areas, such as in Conifers (Pinaceae, Protopinaceae, Taxodiaceae) together with a rich Antissa, Larpsana, Gavathas, and the Eressos beach in Sigri where they megaflora of Angiosperms like Cinnamomum, Tilia, Alnus, Pungiphyllum are found as pebbles. altogether supported by the presence of Palmae. Lesvos Island exposes The evolutionary history of palm trees in Greece is now document- large accumulations of fossilized tree trunks comprising the Lesvos Pet- ed from the Lower Oligocene continuously to the present. Sabal major rified Forest, declared as a protected natural monument. The Petrified was identified in the Late Miocene or Pliocene and the last palm trees Forest covers an area of 15 000 ha. The formation of the Petrified For- appear at 60 000 years BP and are represented by two species, Chamae- est is directly related to the intense, Late Oligocene-Middle Miocene rops humilis and Phoenix theophrastii. They consist of leaf specimens volcanic activity in North Eastern Aegean area. Many fossilized trees found on the caldera walls of the Santorini Island. Given also that today are present along the western coast of Lesvos island. Palm trees have palm tree forests exist on the island of Crete in Vai, near the town of Sitia, a different fossil record in Greece than in the rest of Europe. While in and in the Preveli monastery, it is believed that palm trees had in Greece Europe their last appearance is in the Upper Miocene, in Greece they a distinct evolutionary history. continued until today. By the paleoxylotomical study of a rich material coming from the Our recent fieldwork researches discovered important specimens quoted geological sites, new form-species of Palmoxylon and Rhizo- that can document the evolutionary history of palm trees from the palmoxylon were described and identified as fossil correspondents of Lower Oligocene to the present. The collected palm material as petri- extant species of Sabal, Phoenix, Verschaffeltia, Trachycarpus or other fied wood and leaf imprints includes specimens from: i) the fossil for- species, and are presented in this paper. est of Evros river area (Late Eocene-Early Oligocene); ii) the fossil forest of Lemnos island (Late Oligocene); iii) the fossil forest of Lesvos island (Late Oligocene-Middle Miocene); iv) the fossil forest of Kastoria (Early Miocene); v) the lignite basin of Vegora (Late Miocene); vi) Karpathos Island (Pliocene).

THE EOCENEOLIGOCENE BOUNDARY IN CENTR AL RUSSIA: PALEOENVIRONMENT AND FLORISTIC CHANGES AT THE EUR ASIAN BACKGROUND

Sergei V. Vickulin V. L. Komarov Botanical Institute RAS, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

European Russia is a crucial area connecting Western Siberia and ancestors. The Pasekovo flora also contains several types of evidence Kazakhstan, where climate is mainly latitudinaly organized, with the showing a very high level of leaf-epidermis’ cell fidelity and ultrustruc- Western part of Eurasia, which is climatically governed by the Atlantic tural preservation of chloroplast grana-stacks in epidermal and in partly current circulation. Recent data received from the lignite of Pasekovo preserved mesophyll cells (Vickulin, 1999; 2000, 2002). Laurophylls has provided an insight into environmental conditions at the Eocene/ (?Nectandra) of Eocene relations and other evergreens Apocynophyllum Oligocene boundary within the area of European Russia. Flora of the have not yet been precisely identified; cuticular analysis is planned for lower basin of the Don River (southern part of Middle Russian Upland: Nyssa, ?Bromeliaceae, Ficus, Taxodium, Sequoia, Glyptostrobus. The floral Voronezh province, Mikhailovskiy district: 49°45΄ N; 39°48΄ E) contains assemblage comprises – among others – species of Taxodium, Glypto- exceptionally well preserved paper coal leaf-cuticles, fruits, seeds, strobus, ?Symplocos, Nyssa, ?Theaceae, exotic Ericales, all pointing to wood that show rare anatomical detail for Palaeogen plants (Vikulin, wet conditions. Strikingly, no Myrica were found, and instead of bog 1987). The age is ranked between Late Eocene to ? Early Oligocene. It Ericaceous Cyrilla shrub (common in younger floras of Miocene), much may represent the Eocene / Oligocene boundary interval and repre- more archaic – exotic Epacridicarpum was found (Vickulin, 2000). Floras sent pre “Grande Coupure” time, 37 Myr. It may be compared with the from near the Eocene/Oligocene boundary in Central Russia have been Late Eocene to ? Early Oligocene flora of Sieblos from Germany (Mai, shown to contain distinctive ancient European key elements, which dis- 1996). Most of its elements represent “typical” transitional Haselbach- tinguish them from younger floras of late Oligocene/early Miocene from like plants T. balticum, Protosequoia, Sequoia, Nectandra, Epacridicarpum Western Siberia and Kazakhstan (Vickulin, 1999). The Pasekovo-Kalinin- rossicum Proskurin et Vikulin and Rhodomyrtophyllum pasekovicum grad-Haselbach floras reflect a more mesothermal vegetation by com- Vikulin. Some of them cannot be placed into extant genera and were parison to the older megathermal rainforest with mangroves, charac- specific for Eocene floras. One of these, an epacridaceous loculicid fruit teristic of early to middle Eocene thermal maximum. These results show with similarities to Epacris and other exotic Ericales of Australo-malesian that the climatic conditions through the Early Oligocene are transitional affinities, may be an extinct, transitional form with ancient Cretaceous from subtropical to relatively warm-temperate.

150 EARLY TERTIARY TAXODIUM BALTICUM FROM EUROPEAN RUSSIA: EVIDENCE OF LEAF CUTICLES, CONE SCALES, SEEDS AND POLLEN

Sergei V. Vickulin1, Zhanna V. Burova2, Ludmila A. Panova2, Ben A. LePage3 and Viacheslav Y. Shalisko4 1 V. L. Komarov Botanical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Prof. Popov Ul., St.- Petersburg, 197376, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 2All Russian Geological Institute -VSEGEI, Russian Ministry of the Natural Resources, Sredniy Prospekt 74, St.- Petersburg, 199026, Russia 3 URS Corporation, 1400 Union Meeting Road, Suite 202, Blue Bell, PA 19422-1972, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Department of Botany, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

Numerous Taxodium balticum Sveshnikova et Budantsev leaf com- a central spine on the cone scale, except for T. mucronatum, which pos- pressions from the recently discovered Pasekovo brown-coal paleoflora sesses spines on mature seed cone scales. Pollen grains were extracted (41 Ma, Voronezh oblast’, Central Russia) are discussed in this study. from the Pasekovo samples that were embedded in the shoots of Taxo- Leaf epidermis discovered from Pasekovo demonstrates a high level of dium balticum. The fossil pollen has shown a high level of similarity with structural fidelity, which allowed us to consider T. balticum as being the that of living T. mucronatum. Both fossil and living pollen ranges from most ancient, structurally verified Taxodium amongst the fossil species 20–23 µm in diameter, elliptical to circular in shape with a minute pap- known so far from Europe. The more ancient evergreen early-Tertiary T. illate leptoma. The papillae are 3 µm long. The exine surrounding the balticum is similar to the modern Mexican species T. mucronatum Teno- leptoma is thinner than that of the proximal face. The exine surface is re. In contrast, another fossil species – the deciduous late-Tertiary T. du- granular and covered with gemmate Ubish bodies. Early Tertiary T. balti- bium (Sternb.) Heer is similar to – T. distichum (L.) Rich. and T. ascendens cum shows strong affinities to T. mucronatum and may represent an evo- Brongn.Affinities of T. mucronatum and fossil T. balticum are also evident lutionary line in which the Paleogene T. balticum with distinct protru- based on comparison of the seed cones and cone scales. Taxodium bal- sions on the cone scales evolved through intermediate stages into the ticum possesses a prominent central spine on the outer surface of the Neogene T. dubium (Vickulin et al., 2003). T. balticum was discovered in cone scale, resembling those of Araucaria or Cryptomeria; (e.g. a simi- association with the archaic ericaceous Epacridicarpum, and may repre- lar type of cone scale structure is known for the Oligocene T. tavdense sent a late Eocene version of more recent Taxodium-Nyssa-Alangium as- Dorof. from Western Siberia). Living species of Taxodium do not develop sociation, which was widely distributed in Europe during the Miocene.

PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY OF VALE DO FREIXO PLIOCENE POMBAL, MONDEGO BASIN, PORTUGAL

Manuel Vieira1, Ligia Sousa2, João Pais2 and Diamantino Pereira1 1 Centro de Ciências da Terra, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Centro de Estudos Geológicos, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Quinta da Torre, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

The Pliocene from the Pombal region is represented from below to Spores are represented by 9 families: Anthoceros, Riccia, Gleichenia- the top, by the formations of Carnide and Roussa-Paredes. ceae, Polypodium and Pteris are frequent. In Vale do Freixo (Pombal) the lower levels of the Carnide Formation Among the pollen, Pinus is the most abundant, followed by Quercus outcrop. The lowermost deposit is a 0.5 m thick dark grey conglomerate, and Ericaceae. The arboreal pollen forms are more frequent than the rich in marine molluscs, that overlays by disconformity the middle Mi- non arboreal ones. Taxodiaceae, Cathaya, Juglandaceae, Nyssaceae and ocene of the Amor clays. Above this conglomerate, 0.7 m thick dark grey Symplocaceae pollen are represented. to brown-yellow fine sands also rich in molluscs, followed by 5 m thick The dinoflagellate cysts indicate marine littoral environment. The less fossiliferous yellow sands crop out. presence of Selenopemphix armageddonensis and other Peridinioids as The presence of Discoaster tamalis among the calcareous nanno- well as Lingulodinium machaerophorum with long processes, points out fossils allow the correlation with the Biozone CN 12a (Okada and Bukry, to brackish influence. 1980) ≈ NN16 of Martini (1971) with an approximated age of 3.7 to 2.8 Ma, Thermophilic benthonic gastropods, like Solariella cincta, Tribia i.e. Upper Zanclean-Piacenzian (Cachão, 1989, 1990). uniangulata, Solatia piscatória, Ancilla sp., Ficus sp., extant in the west Till now, five samples were collected for palynological studies in coast of Africa, indicate marine environment with waters warmer than the lower 0.5 m of the Carnide Formation. The palynomorphs are well today for the same latitude (Nolf and Silva, 1997; Silva, Landau and Mar- represented and preserved. Dinoflagellate cysts predominate and are tinell, 2000). Dinoflagellate cysts point out to the same conclusion. The more abundant to the top of the fossiliferous levels of Vale do Freixo. pollen and spores indicate humid and warm climate, which agree with Operculodinium tegillatum, Lingulodinium machaerophorum, Tectatod- the climate conditions for occidental Europe during Zanclean- Piacen- inium pellitum, Spiniferites sp., Achomosphaera sp. and Selenopemphix zian. armageddonensis are present.

PALYNOLOGICAL DATA OF ESCUCHA FORMATION IN THE IBERIAN R ANGE SPAIN

Uxue Villanueva-Amadoz1, Denise Pons2, Luis M. Sender1, José B. Diez3 and Javier Ferrer1 1 Dpt. de Ciencias de la Tierra (Paleontología), Universidad de Zaragoza. C/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12. 50009 Zaragoza, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Paléobiodiversité et Paléoenvironnements, UMR 5143 CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6), 12 rue Cuvier, 75 005 Paris, France 3 Dpt. Xeociencias Mariñas e Ordenación do Territorio, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain

The Escucha Formation represents the progradation of a deltaic-es- such as the Eastern Iberian Range, southwestern Catalan Coastal Range tuarine system with a marked tidal influence, under a subtropical, semi- and the Basque-Cantabrian Basin. The formation is referred to Lower- arid climate. This formation covers a vast area of the northeast of Spain, Middle Albian age in the basis of the presence of the ammonite Douvil-

151 leiceras monile (Spath 1923) in Traiguera, associated with the opening of Other palynomorphs that occur in large numbers include the lacus- the North Atlantic Ocean. trine freshwater taxa such as Aequitriradites spinulosus, Crybelosporites Palynological analyses have been undertaken through the Escucha panuceus, Ovoidites parvus, Rouseisporites reticulatus. Formation in some localities of the Oliete and Las Parras and Galve Sub- Dinoflagellates are also quite abundant in some samples indicating basins. There are a great number of different environments within the a marine influence: Oligosphaeridium sp., Odontochitina sp., Hystrichos- same sedimentary basin as reflected in sedimentation and palynologi- phaeridium sp., Subtilisphaera sp., Florentinia sp. cal assemblages. The assemblage of: Corniculatisporites sp., Stellatopollis sp., Afropol- The assemblage yielded the following main taxa ordered in de- lis jardinus, Asteropollis asteroides, Retimonocolpites sp., Brenneripollis creasing percentage: Classopollis spp. (Cheirolepidiaceae), Matoniaceae, peroreticulatus is typical of an Albian age. Gleicheniaceae, Schizaeaceae (Cicatricosisporites, Appendicisporites and The above palynofloral assemblage confirms Albian age for these Klukisporites type), Echinatisporis sp., Araucariacites australis, Patellasporites samples although the angiosperms are scarce, possibly in relation to distaverrucosus, Eucommiidites (E. minor and E. troedssonii). Concavissimis- taphonomic processes. The association also reflects the vertical and porites (C. variverrucatus, C. verrucosus), Deltoidospora juncta, Trilobosporites lateral complexities of the upper and lower deltaic changeable ecosys- sp., Distaltriangulisporites sp., Pilosisporites sp., Ephedripites sp. (gymno- tems. sperms), and angiosperms are also present in a lower percentage.

PRELIMINARILY RESULTS ON THE APPLICABILITY OF FOSSIL PTERIDOSPERM

CUTICLES AS PROXIES FOR RECONSTRUCTING ANCIENT CO2 LEVELS

Birgit Vörding1 and Hans Kerp1 1 Forschungsstelle für Paläobotanik, Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Hindenburgplatz 57, 48143 Münster, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Stomatal parameters (stomatal density and stomatal index) of fos- of the SI within a single pinnule is considerable. It is not possible to ob- sil cuticles have often been used as proxy indicators for the palaeoat- tain reliable mean SI (SImean) values by counting random small pieces of mospheric CO2 concentration, not only in the Cenozoic, but also in the cuticle as they are usually obtained by bulk maceration. For this species

Mesozoic and Palaeozoic. Especially, the cuticles of cycads, ginkgos, only counts of entire pinnules provide an idea about the SImean. The other conifers and pteridosperms have frequently been used. The applica- Dicroidium species, D. jordanensis, hardly shows any variation in the SI; tion of stomatal indices for reconstructing ancient CO2 levels cannot be even rather small pieces of the cuticle provide a representative SImean questioned as there are many comparative studies on cuticles of fossil value for the entire pinnule, regardless of their original location within plants and their direct extant relatives that have shown a clear relation- the pinnule or within the frond. The same is true for all Lepidopteris ot- ship of SI values and CO2 concentrations. However, only a few systematic tonis pinnules from Scania which have been measured, although they studies on the intraspecific variability of these parameters have been originate from different stratigraphic horizons. conducted to date. This is a first systematical approach for assessing the The SImean values of the two Dicroidium species are different, although reliability of pteridosperm cuticles and their stomatal parameters for the both belong to the same genus and grew under the same palaeoatmos- determination of ancient CO2 levels. Large sample sets have been ana- pheric conditions, whereas the SI values of Lepidopteris ottonis from Scania lyzed of two species of the pteridosperm genus Dicroidium from a single are all similar, although they were collected from different stratigraphic horizon in the uppermost Permian of the Dead Sea region, Jordan and of horizons. There seem to be species-specific differences in SImean values.

Lepidopteris ottonis from different Rhaethian-Liassic horizons of Scania, These comparisons show that reconstructions of ancient CO2 levels based South Sweden. Within complete pinnules, the stomatal density (SD) and on stomatal counts of fossil pteridosperm cuticles must be regarded with stomatal index (SI) of different areas (base, centre, apex) of these three great caution. Nevertheless, CO2 concentrations have been calculated species have been determined. Usually the SD shows a wide variability, based on the gained SImean values, using two different, previously pub- therefore the more constant and reliable SI values have been used for lished transfer functions. These results haven been compared with other further investigations. In one species, Dicroidium irnensis, the variation palaeoatmospheric CO2 models provided in the literature.

LAST CENTURIES OF MAN/ENVIRONMENT INTER ACTIONS RECORDED IN LAMINATED SEDIMENTS OF LAKE MIŁKOWSKIE, THE MASURIAN LAKE DISTRICT, POLAND

Agnieszka Wacnik1, Andrzej Tatur2, Tomasz Goslar3 and Justyna Czernik3 1W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, 31-512 Kraków, Poland, e-mail: [email protected] 2Centre for Ecological Research Polish Academy of Sciences, Konopnickiej 1, Dziekanów Leśny, 05-092 Łomianki, Poland, e-mail: [email protected] 3Poznań Radiocarbon Laboratory, Rubież 46, 61-612 Poznań, Poland, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Palaeoecological studies of Lake Miłkowskie sediments were used 16th centuries. During this time the Lake Miłkowskie was a mesotrophic to show the close relationship between changes of local vegetation and water body. A slow sedimentation rate of the lake deposits was noted. human activity. As the lake deposits were mostly regularly laminated Palynological data revealed a predominance of forest communities in both AMS 14-C dating and varve counting were the basis for a chrono- the lake vicinity confirming the existence of former “Galindia Forest”, logical scale construction. Local historical and archaeological data were poorly settled by the Old Prussians. Single indicators of human impact correlated with a changes in the plant cover reflected in the results of e.g. cereal pollen grains, were found in spite of the low herbs represen- palynological analyses. tation. Small-scale opennings in the forests were probably located close Two main stages of man/environment interactions were distin- to the lake, but not directly on its shore, and were used as a farmland. guished. Foraging could have been an important source of food supply. Phase I consists of material accumulated from 2nd century until 15th/ Phase II was devided into three sub-phases. Material was deposited

152 from the end of 15th/or the begining of 16th century until 20th century. used as ploughland for cultivation of Triticum, Avena, Hordeum, Secale, Strong and fast deforestation process caused the local predominance Cannabis, Fagopyrum, Linum, and possibly of Papaver and Humulus. Ce- of open surfaces. At the same time the accumulation rate increased 20 real fields were weed-choked with e.g. Centaurea cyanus. Meadows and times and the lake body became strongly eutrophic. A decerease of pastures were locally present and used as the main source of fodder for Betula, Carpinus, Quercus, and Alnus frequencies suggested the elimina- animals. Its surface area visibly increased during the last two centuries ton of these trees from the surroundings of lake. It was the result of in- (19th and 20th century), probably as the result of draining of nearby Lake tensification of local settlement and agriculture. The begining of these Staświńskie. sudden changes could be correlated with the Miłki village enlargement This research was funded by State Committee for Scientific Research and building of a church on the lake shore. The treeless grounds were of Poland, project no. 2P04F 030 27 (2004-2007).

A NEW TECHNIQUE TO INFER THE BOTANICAL AFFINITY OF PALYNOMORPHS, AND ITS APPLICATION ON SPHERIPOLLENITES PSILATUS FROM THE TOARCIAN OF BORNHOLM, DENMARK

Jessica Wade-Murphy1 and Wolfram M. Kuerschner1 1 Palaeoecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, Utrecht, 3584 CD, The Netherlands, e-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]

Palynological studies of Early Toarcian sediments from Northwest where a pollen type had its highest absolute abundance, its correspond- Europe are characterized by an abundance of Spheripollenites psilatus, ing cuticle was observed 65.4 % of the time (for 21 affinities) and 83.3 % which has been considered a green alga or gymnospermous pollen. This of the time (for the 5 strongest affinities). Spheripollenites co-occurs with palynomorph can compose up to 95 % of an assemblage and is corre- cuticles of Dactyletrophyllum ramonensis. Square-root transformed pol- lated with Toarcian carbon cycle anomalies including the oceanic anoxic len and cuticle count data yield a first axis with eigenvalue 0.333 (PCA). event and negative carbon isotope excursion. A better understanding of The statistically highly significant correlation may suggest that S. psila- the botanical affinities of the palynomorph can improve interpretation tus is produced by the conifer genus Dactyletrophyllum, whose macro- of these events. S. psilatus from the sediments recording the Toarcian fossil is known from the Toarcian of Italy and Lower Jurassic of Israel. negative C isotope excursion in the Korsodde Section, Bornholm (DK), The association of S. psilatus with a low-latitude conifer suggests that was investigated using a novel simultaneous study of palynomorphs unusual fluctuations occurred in the continental vegetation during the and dispersed leaf cuticle, which was designed to observe whether the Early Toarcian environmental changes. The identity of S. psilatus is cur- presence of a plant’s leaf remains and pollen type varied correspond- rently being further investigated with fluorescence analysis and δ13C ingly in the sediments. The simultaneous study found that in the sample measurements.

A REVISION OF THE LATE TRIASSIC FLOR A FROM THE RIAU ARCHIPELAGO INDONESIA

Jassica Wade-Murphy1 and Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert2 1 Palaeoecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, Utrecht, 3584 CD, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected] 2 The National Natural History Museum “Naturalis”, PO Box 9517, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

In 1952, the description of a small flora from Bintan Island in the two other organs. The other components of the flora were limited to Riau Archipelago of Indonesia was published by W.J. Jongmans. He de- twigs and cones of Brachyphyllum sp. and leaves of Podozamites sp. and scribed the Bintan Flora based on material from one fossil locality in the Nilssonia sp. The Bintan Flora is unusual because of the complete ab- Bintan Formation. The complete collection of the Bintan Flora includes sence of fern remains and the dominance of diminutive Pterophyllum specimens from four localities, all of which were examined for the first and Ptilophyllum leaves. In the initial description, the flora was proposed time in this study. 21 taxa were determined compared to an earlier 4, to be of Rhaeto-Liassic age. This conclusion has been largely upheld by and 3 earlier determinations were revised. Of these 21 taxa, 14 belonged the present study, which found the basis to compare the flora with sev- to the Bennettitales, including 11 leaf species, one Williamsonia sp., and eral Norian-Rhaetian floras of Southeast Asia, China, and Iran.

EARLY TOARCIAN VEGETATION HISTORY FROM THE KORSODDE SECTION OF BORNHOLM DENMARK AND ITS POSSIBLE IMPACT ON TERRESTRIAL CARBON ISOTOPE RECORDS

Jessica Wade-Murphy1, Wolfram M. Kuerschner1 and Stephen P. Hesselbo2 1 Palaeoecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, Utrecht, 3584 CD, The Netherlands, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PR, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

The negative carbon isotope excursion measured in Early Toarcian ecosystem despite contemporaneous large scale volcanism. Here, we carbonates, bulk organic matter, and wood fragments has been related present a high-resolution palynological study of a bio- and chemos- to carbon cycle perturbations that correlate with crises among the ma- tratigraphically well constrained shallow marine section on Bornholm rine biota. Still, very little is known about the response of the continental (DK). Our results reveal the regional vegetation history during the time

153 period of the marine ecological crises. The results also point to a role a decreasing trend in Corollina abundance. Since members of the Chei- for changes in the woody vegetation in the wood-derived carbon iso- rolepidiaceae are known to have a heavy carbon bias, this suggests that tope signal. Preceding the negative C isotope excursion, pollen assem- a component of the negative excursion is influenced by an ecological blages are dominated by Taxodiaceae pollen types such Cerebropol- shift away from Cheirolepidiaceae dominated woody vegetation. Our lenites associated with Cycad pollen types (Chasmatosporites) and the preliminary results show evidence for significant changes in the land Cheirolepidiaceous Corollina. At the start of the initial C isotope shift plant community contemporaneously occurring with the ecological these pollen assemblages are replaced by spore dominated associa- crises in the marine realm. This implies that the mechanisms that were tions indicating a higher abundance of ferns, tree-ferns and lycophytes. involved must have affected synchronously both the marine and conti- The changes may be the result of a long-term increase in humidity. An nental ecosystems and favors a primary role for large-scale volcanism in abrupt increase in Spheripollenites coincides with the main negative the Toarcian. The results also demonstrate that carbon isotope records C isotope shift. This change may relate to warming and to a transition derived from wood may be affected by plant palaeoecology, and future from a wet fern dominated landscape to seasonally dry vegetation. Ad- studies should take this into account. ditionally, the trend toward lighter carbon isotope ratios is matched by

OMPHALOPHLOIOS, A PRIMITIVE LYCOPSID TREE

Robert H. Wagner Centro Paleobotánico, Jardín Botánico de Córdoba, Avda. de Linneo, s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain, e-mail: [email protected]

Nĕmejc tentatively identified the lycopsid reproductive structure produce already a viable fertile apex. This carries the connotation that Sporangiostrobus Bode with Omphalophloios White. Large collections fertile apices, shed at maturity, could be grown at successive stages in of mainly fertile remains preserved in a volcanic ash band in Puertol- the lifetime of a tree. lano, Central Spain, of Stephanian C (also early Autunian) age, allowed Fertile apices disarticulated after maturity, a process which com- a reconstruction of this small tree and to venture an opinion on its re- menced in the lower part of the sporangiate area and then extended up- productive strategy. The identification with the adpressions in mudrock wards. First to be shed were the distal laminae, similar in size and shape described by White (types of Omphalophloios) and which were exam- to the leaves, and then the sporangia, leaving the proximal parts of the ined in Washington, allowed the recognition of both vegetative stem sporophylls sticking out characteristically as if they were short stubby impressions and the imprint of fully disarticulated fertile apex remains. leaves (Puertollania Remy and Remy). Sometimes, the central part of Additional, not figured material with preserved sporangia completed the fertile apex shows the imprint of the proximal part of sporangia and the identification with Sporangiostrobus. sporophyll scars, thus simulating leaf cushions and scars (as occurred A life size reconstruction of an average sized tree (5–6 m tall) is among the types of Omphalophloios in White’s material). displayed in the Museo de Paleobotánica in Córdoba. It shows an un- The thousands of specimens collected at Puertollano include only branched tree (it is only rarely bifurcate at the top) with a rounded apex. a small proportion of vegetative stem remains. It is also observed that A swollen base with stigmarian appendages showing subequal dichoto- all fertile remains are fully mature. In the context of explosive volcanism mies at the end was apparently the only part of the tree not covered in this can only mean that high winds preceding the ash fall took off the long, single veined leaves. Sporangia were concentrated in the apical structurally weakened fertile apices (which are found in all the differ- part of the tree, with haphazardly distributed patches of megaspore- ent stages of disarticulation). This also explains why no transitional areas and microspore producing sporangia. These belong to Zonalesporites between vegetative stem and fertile apex have been found at Puertol- and Cristatisporites-Densosporites-Cingulizonates respectively. Mature lano (or anywhere else, for that matter). Fully disarticulated fertile apices fertile apices (with stem anatomy) are of very different sizes, thus allow- would naturally detach themselves from the stem. ing the supposition that young trees, not yet grown to full size, could

STOMATAL FREQUENCY ANALYSIS: RELIABILITY TESTS AND EVALUATION OF UNCERTAINTIES

Friederike Wagner1 and Mats Rundgren2 1 Department of Palaeoecology, Lab. of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands 2 GeoBiosphere Science Centre, Department of Geology, Quaternary Sciences, Lund University, Sweden

For the later part of the Quaternary, analysis of gas enclosures in real, however, or just a result of cumulated inaccuracies introduced by polar ice is the most established and widely accepted source of infor- the technique-specific uncertainties, is difficult to assess. mation on atmospheric CO2 dynamics. Alternatively, proxy atmospheric Within the ongoing discussion on the alternative concept of a dy-

CO2 records can be generated by studying the genetically controlled leaf namic CO2 regime, the approach of translating observed shifts in sto- morphological adaptation of selected C3 plants, in which the amount of matal frequencies in terms of atmospheric CO2 changes has often been stomata (gas exchange pores) on the leaf is directly determined by the questioned. It has been suggested that these shifts are a consequence ambient CO2 concentration during the growth period. of environmental factors other than CO2 or an artefact of improper as-

The numerous stomatal frequency based CO2 records currently sembling and calibration of the modern training sets. available indicate a significant variability of atmospheric CO2 levels Here we would like to give an overview on A) the different validation throughout the Holocene, showing repeated short-lived CO2 shifts of approaches that are taken to increase the reliability of modern training

20–40 ppmv. A common pattern to all these records is that the esti- sets, and thus, improve the performance of CO2 inference models. In mated CO2 shifts clearly exceed the fluctuations documented in polar a second step we B) test the reliability of the actual stomatal frequency ice. Differences between the results generated by the two techniques based CO2 records. And finally C) try to tackle the remaining problem of are related to A) the different average base levels for the Holocene, B) amplitude differences between CO2 profiles from ice cores and stomatal the pacing of CO2 variations, and C) the amplitude of the detected shifts frequency records, by applying a firn densification model developed for – factors that need considerable attention for understanding natural, Antarctic Ice cores to stomatal frequency records from the same time short-term climate dynamics. Whether the apparent discrepancies are period.

154 PALAEOBOTANIC INVESTIGATIONS AT HÖWENEGG SOUTHWEST GERMANY, LATE MIOCENE

Veronika Wähnert1, Samuel Giersch2 and Johanna Kovar-Eder1 1 Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Stuttgart, 70191, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, 76133, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Höwenegg is a locality famous for its mammalian fauna. Volcanic fragments. More than 10 taxa can be differentiated. For some of them sediments there have provided a single crystal argon date of 10.3 Ma the systematic affinity will remain dubious. However, Buxus, Myrica, Pop- (Swisher 1996), giving a precise, later MN9 correlation for the locality. ulus sp. div., Salix, Zelkova, Monocotyledonae are among them. The biodiversity already recovered from the ecosystem of the volcanic Fruits: Most diaspores are preserved as impressions. The florula con- lake and surroundings seems to be interestingly high, although often tains: Thymeleaceae, Ampelopsis cf. tertiaria, Schisandra moravica, Celtis poorly preserved. It includes molluscs, insects, Crustaceae, lower ver- cf. lacunosa, cf. Staphylea, cf. Podocarpium podocarpum, Characeae, Cla- tebrates, mammalians and plants (foliage, fruits, pollen). The floristic dium cf. palaeomariscus, Carex and Stratiotes cf. intermedius. These plant spectra represented by the different plant organs complement each remains can be divided in 3 categories: 1. trees and lianas from the sur- other offering insight into the aquatic plant assemblages and the vege- roundings of the lake, 2. Cyperaceae from the lake shore reed zone and tation surrounding the lake. In excavation season 2005 our special focus 3. aquatic plants from the shallow water zone. Stratiotes and Cladium was on plant remains. represent re-occurring phases of a calm, clear, chalk-rich, oligotrophic Leaves: More than 200 specimens are available. The material is not lake. very well preserved. In many cases we deal with almost colourless im- Palynological investigations are yet at the beginning and will be pressions. However, at least from Buxus it was possible to obtain cuticle performed by M. Kováčová.

TAXONOMY OF LOWER JUR ASSIC MIOSPORES AND ITS STR ATIGR APHIC SIGNIFICANCE

Marta Waksmundzka Polish Geological Institute, Rakowiecka 4, 00-975 Warsaw, Poland, [email protected]

The analysis of Lower Jurassic miospores is based on examination The structures exhibit colour variability and secondary morphological of 277 rock samples from the Polish Basin and 34 samples from the Tatra features produced by fungi and algae. High frequency of miospores al- Mts. It has proved the presence of 61 genera and 211 species, of which lowed for investigations of the intraspecies variabilities. A correlation of 19 genera and 40 species represent stratigraphically significant taxa stratigraphic ranges of miospores in samples of well-known stratigra- enlisted in the intercontinental correlation tables. The analysis of mor- phy (based on ammonites or Dinophlagellatae) indicates wider ranges phological features of miospores, performed both in SEM and in trans- of palynomorph assemblages. The data confirm the possibility of using mitted light and supported by investigations of sedimentary environ- miospores for stratigraphic determinations of rocks, supported by sedi- ments, showed that many structures developed as a result of corrosion. mentary environmental studies.

VOLCANIC FLOR AS IN THE PALAEOGENE OF CENTR AL EUROPE

Harald Walther Natural History State Collections Dresden, Museum of Mineralogy and Geology, 01109 Dresden, Koenigsbruecker Landstrasse 159, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

Volcanic activities during the history of land plant evolution have less extensive belt of riparian forest around lakes existed, in which in- preserved mires or swamps, forests as well as isolated plant remains trazonal elements thrived (Taxodium, Alnus, Liquidambar, Ulmus, Craigia, by permineralisation. In the Tertiary, preservation of many important Cercidiphyllum). The prevailing type of the forest vegetation in the Oli- floras was also effected both directly and indirectly by volcanic events. gocene corresponds to the Mixed Mesophytic Forest. Most sites contain Neovolcanic activities in the late Palaeogene of Central Europe were new elements of invasion floras which immigrate from the transition of responsible for important plant bearing localities like maar lakes, lake late Eocene to early Oligocene in different waves during the Oligocene sides, calderas and other depressions, volcanic uplands and slopes. to Oligocene/Miocene from central Russia or the Far East after closing These include floras, which are preserved under specific conditions of the Uralian seaway to Central Europe. these activities and reflect mostly typical zonal vegetation with charac- These “modern” Arctotertiary taxa, like Acer, Betula, Carpinus, Cy- teristic elements in certain time interval. Preservation of the plant cover clocarya, Fagus, Quercus, can be very common under more temperate is connected with optimal taphonomic conditions, like diatomites, bi- to warm temperate climatic conditions, while the invasion of new ev- tuminous clay deposits or tuffites. Bituminous content is suitable for ergreen taxa (Taiwania, Illicium) is much more rarely encountered and preservation of mummified leaf fossils. Typical sites in Central Europe depended on a warming towards subtropical climatic conditions. This are distributed around and within the Doupov and České Středohoří- is known in floras of late Oligocene age (e.g. Kleinsaubernitz, Orsberg Lusatia Mts. (Czech Republik, Germany) and the Rhineland (Germany). in Germany). These volcanic floras illustrate the mesophytic climax veg- Exposition of slopes influences the composition of assemblages, which etation in a time interval of more than 13 million years in Central Europe. usually include a richer spectrum of local vegetation. If coal seams are The existence of relationships to the contemporary floras close to the present then they are thinner and obviously arose in different ways (e.g. Tertiary North Sea (lowland floras) is illustrated by the occurrence of the monocot mires buried under lava flows). Even in these sites a more or same accessory floral elements in both areas.

155 PALAEOECOLOGY AND TAPHONOMY IN LATE OLIGOCENE PLANT TAPHOCOENOSIS OF THE WEISSELSTER BASIN SAXONY, GERMANY

Harald Walther and Lutz Kunzmann Natural History State Collections Dresden, Museum of Mineralogy and Geology, 01109 Dresden, Koenigsbruecker Landstrasse 159, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Palaeogene strata of the southern margin of the Leipzig Basin assumed by different characters of the leaf component (e.g. compound (“Weisselster Basin”, central Germany) are famous for their large quanti- leaves of Cyclocarya cyclocarpa and Platanus neptuni) and by co-occur- ties of highly diversed and excellently preserved mega- and palynoflo- rence of different organs (leaves, diaspores, pollen) of various species ras. In the 1980th and 1990th the Late Oligocene Thierbach Member has in the same horizons. It seems that the periodical (leaf) abscission of de- been studied by several research teams to reconstruct the palaeoenvi- ciduous species (e. g. Carpinus grandis, Acer haselbachense, Liquidambar ronment and palaeovegetation of a distinct section of the Palaeogene europaea, Ulmus fischeri) is fixed by leaf clusters of the respective spe- basin. The Thierbach Member is composed of 3 clastic fluvial to estua- cies on a single bedding plane. In the upper part autochthonous ele- rine complexes of an alluvial braidplain, which were well exposed in the ments such as Salvinia reussii and Stratiotes schaarschmidtii represent Borna-Ost, Bockwitz and Witznitz open cast mines (south of Leipzig, the stage of channel alluviation, whereas rooting structures show the Saxony). Sedimentological, palaeobotanical, palynological, taphonom- development of an incipient palaeosoil after complete channel fill. Al- ic and biogeochemical data sets, derived from the same sample hori- lochthonous plant remains (diaspores, leaves of evergreens, twigs, pol- zons, are used for multidisciplinary models. For the flora of the Thier- len) are distributed scattered throughout the sequence. Such elements bach complex a Broad-leaved Deciduous Forest is reconstructed for the belong to the flood-derived (e.g. Nyssa spp., Mastixia sp.) and wind-de- zonal vegetation, which indicates a warm-temperate and perhumide rived (Tsuga) input into the channel. palaeoclimate. The taphonomic approaches have shown, that each channel fill se- From plant taphonomic data and sedimentological features the quence is characterized by special features and a distinct plant taphoc- plant fossil assemblages from different facies types are identified as oenosis. being either autochthonous, parautochthonous, or allochthonous. As demonstrated herein with the floras of the Thierbach Complex The objective of the present contribution is to demonstrate new pal- these patterns of plant assemblages have been generalized for other aeobotanical and taphonomic data of several abandoned channel-fill fluvial settings in the European Oligocene. The composition and spa- sequences in the Bockwitz, Borna-Ost and Witznitz open cast mines. tial distribution of the palaeovegetation in a more general view could The abandoned channel-fill sequences bears in the lower part mainly be reconstructed only successfully by detailed investigations of various parautochthonous plant remains of a riparian forest and partly of a zon- plant assemblages of different facies types with multidisciplinary ap- al Broad-leaved Deciduous Forest (Fagus saxonica). Parautochthony is proaches.

PAR ATINGIA SP. NOV., AND TINGIA SP. NOV. A NEW NOEGGER ATHIALEAN PLANTS AND THEIR SPORES FROM THE PERMIAN OF WUDA DISTRICT, INNER MONGOLIA, CHINA

Jun Wang1 and Jiří Bek2 1 Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China 2 Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Palaeoecology, Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 135, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic

Recent investigation of an autochthonous flora from the Early Per- large leaves in form i.e. heterophylly. In P. datongensis, the small leaves mian Shanxi Formation yielded an abundant collection of both vegeta- are the same in form as the large leaves. (2) The strobili are verticillate, tive shoots and fructifications of Paratingia wudensis sp. nov., which is whereas in P. datongensis the sporophylls are spirally arranged. Features peculiar because of possessing anisophyllous frond-like shoot and is of the new species including the generic identification, ecology and af- a characteristic member of Noeggerathiales in China and the Cathaysian finity are discussed in relation to other species in Noeggerathiales. province. The diagnostic feature of the new species includes: Frond-like New specimens from the Early Permian Shanxi Formation of Wuda, shoot dorsiventral and anisophyllous with thick axis. Leaves apparently Inner Mongolia demonstrate an organic connection between the leafy arranged in four rows. Two rows of large leaves alternate, elliptical or shoot and the strobilus of Tingia connexus sp. nov. and consequently elongate rhomboidal with pointed apex, with dentate margin and fan- improve our understanding of the whole plant morphology of this shaped venation. Two rows of small leaves alternate, semi-amplexicaul enigmatic taxon of the Cathaysian flora. Leafy shoots and strobili are and distally dissected into two long teeth. Strobilus cylinder-like, articu- sprouting from a common stem. The strobili are cylinder-like, 1.7–2.5 cm lated. Sporophylls verticillate, with ellipsoidal sporangia on the adaxial in diameter and over 20 cm in length, with a basal stalk 7– 8 mm in width sides. Dehiscence of the sporangia is a stomium longitudinally in the and about 7 cm long. Sporophylls are verticillate, with approximately middle and extending from the very apex down to the very base. Tri- 8–10 in a whorl. On the adaxial side of each sporophyll a sporangium lete circular to subcircular microspores with laevigate exine and trilete is attached. The megaspores are scattered on the surface of the stro- laevigate megaspores. Megaspores possess an equatorial structure, bili. The microspores are of the Punctatisporites type. Large leaves vary cingulum or zona. In situ spores, mainly megaspores, are quite different from linear to oblong with entire lateral margins but slightly lobed at the from those of all known Paleozoic noggerathialean plants and represent apex. Small leaves are generally the same as the large leaves but much a new type of noeggerathialean spores. This significant feature distin- narrower. The whole plant is probably a small arborescent tree, rather guishes Paratingia wudensis from all other Paleozoic noeggerathialeans than a water plant with larger leaves floating on the surface of the water and gives the evidence about its special position among them. The new as previously understood. Features of the new species are in favor of the species is distinguished from P. datongensis as the previously sole and close affinity between Tingia Halle and Noeggerathiales. type species of the genus by: (1) The small leaves are different from the

156 A POSSIBLE JUR ASSIC ANGIOSPERM FROM WESTERN LIAONING, CHINA

Xin Wang1, Shuying Duan2, Baoyin Geng2 and Jinzhong Cui2 1 State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, 39 Beijing Dong Road, Nanjing 210008, China, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Laboratory of Palaeobotany, Institute of Botany, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China

Angiosperm origin has been a hot research topic for botanists. flower is hypogynous and composed of a monochlamydeous perianth However, well-accepted angiosperm fossil record remains restricted to and an ovary. The closed bilocular ovary appears to eliminate Schmeiss- the Cretaceous up to now. Here Schmeissneria sinensis, a possible an- neria from Ginkgoales and suggests a possible relationship with an- giosperm, from the Haifanggou Formation (Middle Jurassic) in western giosperms. The possible angiospermous affinity and the Jurassic age of Liaoning, China brings fresh data to the research. Schmeissneria sinen- Schmeissneria may push the origin of angiosperm back to the Triassic sis has flowers clustered in pair along the inflorescence peduncle. Each and constitute a challenge for the current angiosperm systematics.

POSSIBLE TR ANSCYTOSIS OBSERVED IN FOSSIL CELLS

Xin Wang1 and Yongdong Wang2 1 State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, 39 Beijing Dong Road, Nanjing 210008, China, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Laboratory of Palaeobotany, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, 39 Beijing Dong Road, Nanjing 210008, China, e-mail: [email protected]

Transcytosis is an important physiological process for eukaryotic Traditional and SEM/TEM studies not only demonstrate clearly the mem- cells. Membrane fusion is an indispensable and critical step for transcyto- brane fusing process, but also shed new light on membrane structure and sis. Therefore, it has been a hot topic for intensive research in living cells relationship between vesicular and cytoplasmic membranes. Contrary in the past decades, and several models have been proposed for it. In the to the current understanding, this fossil evidence suggests that micellar past, fossils contributed very little to our understanding of transcytosis or membrane may be more common in cells than thought before, and that membrane fusion in plants. Here a well-preserved fossil plant at least 17 the membrane fusion between a micellar membrane and cytoplasmic million years (Ma) old is reported to have transcytosis caught in the act. membrane is an important step for transcytosis.

RECONSIDER ATION ON THE GROWTH ARCHITECTURE OF LEPTOPHLOEUM RHOMBICUM DAWSON: A COSMOPOLITAN ARBORESCENT LYCOPSID IN THE LATE DEVONIAN

Qi Wang1, Geng Baoyin1 and David L. Dilcher2 1 Research Center for Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China, e-mail: [email protected]; 2Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7800, USA

Leptophloeum Dawson 1862 is a cosmopolitan arborescent lycopsid on its growth architecture that the plant should have a pseudomo- in the Late Devonian. Previously, it was described on the basis of some nopodial branching pattern, which may represent one of the archetypal fragmentary stem adpressions with distinctive spirally arranged rhom- architectures found in the basal groups of arborescent lycopsids. Taxo- bic leaf cushions and considered to be a monotypic genus, which was nomically, this plant should be assigned to its own family and the order tentatively reconstructed as a whole-plant species, Leptophloeum rhom- Isoëtales s.l., rather than Protolepidodendrales as formerly thought. Cur- bicum, bearing an iso-dichotomous branching crown. However, current rent study advances our understanding of evolutionary-developmental reinvestigation of an anatomically preserved L. rhombicum trunk from biology of early rhizomorphic lycopsids. the lower Upper Devonian of Hubei, China provides a new perspective

BASINAL AND EXTR ABASINAL FOSSIL PLANT ASSOCIATIONS FROM THE EARLY PERMIAN OF SUMATR A JAMBI PROVINCE, INDONESIA

Isabel M. van Waveren1, Menno Booi1 and Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert1 1 Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Naturalis, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA, The Netherlands

The Early Permian Mengkarang Formation was deposited in the fore- South East Asia during the Early Permian. The Mengkarang Formation land of a back-arc basin from the Indochina block. This block separated consists of a 370 meter long regressive sequence showing the transition from Gondwana together with the South Cathaysia continent. Recent from a deltaic, to a meandering, to a braided river system, with an al- analysis of the palaeobotanical content of the Mengkarang Formation luvial fan setting on top. The observation of an at least 2 meter long in (the Jambi flora) supports this interpretation of the paleogeography of situ tree trunk in the upper deltaic plain facies of the section, as well as

157 11 fossil tree trunk bases with root systems in the braided river facies of by a sheet flood event, contained taxa having relatively large leaves the section, indicate that the Jambi flora was deposited in the rapidly like Taeniopteris or Macralethopteris, or leaves indicating possible fu- subsiding arc from a tectonically active area. The presence of tuffs sup- sion of pinnules leading to larger leaves (Protoblechnum), leaves with ports this interpretation. a high vein density (Macralethopteris), leaves that are more fleshy (Mac- Both the palaeoflora and the sedimentary facies suggest that the ralethopteris) or leaves having a netvenation (Gigantopterid leaves). We Mengkarang formation was deposited in a tropical environment. Flood- believe these taxa grew in extrabasinal drier habitats, possibly reflect- plain deposits along the Mengkarang Formation contain floral elements ing the increased patchyness in habitat occurrence thought to be re- like cordaite, fern and calamite species known from the Amerosinian lated to the decrease in rainfall and global warming at the beginning of everwet floras. Three localities interpreted as having been deposited the Early Permian.

THE ORIGIN AND EARLY DIVERSIFICATIONS OF LAND PLANTS: INTEGR ATING EVIDENCE FROM THE EARLY LAND PLANT DISPERSED SPORE/MEGAFOSSIL RECORDS THROUGH STUDIES OF IN SITU SPORES

Charles H. Wellman Dept. of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Alfred Denny Building, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom, e-mail: [email protected]

One of the greatest challenges facing palynologists/palaeobotanists the timing of the origin of land plants, the pattern of diversification(s) of is understanding the origin and early diversification(s) of land plants. The the different groups of land plants, patterns of evolution, biodiversity, primary source of evidence is the fossil record. The early plant megafossil phytogeography etc. In recent years a wealth of new data has emerged record is most informative regarding the nature of the actual plants. How- on in situ spores in early land plants (e.g. the first evidence for the na- ever, the plant megafossil record is notoriously incomplete and biased, ture of the early cryptospore producers; new data from the exception- arguably relying on a few temporally/spatially scattered assemblages, al- ally preserved charcoalified plants from the Anglo-Welsh basin; new though we are fortunate that some of these are exceptionally preserved evidence on the in situ spores of the Rhynie chert plants). Such studies (e.g. the silicified plants of the Rhynie chert and the charcoalified plants have also been complimented by TEM studies of spore wall ultrastruc- of the Anglo-Welsh basin). On the other hand the dispersed spore fos- ture that provide new evidence regarding the biological affinities of the sil record is far more complete. It is less informative, however, because producers. Nonetheless outstanding challenges remain. We still have in most cases the parent plants are unknown. Studies of in situ spores distinct groups of spores (e.g. patinate spores) whose parent plants are integrate evidence from the plant megafossil and dispersed spore fossil unknown, probably reflecting biases in the plant megafossil record. In records. Combined analysis of both fossil records is extremely enlighten- this talk I will outline recent progress and the challenges that lie ahead, ing regarding our understanding of early land plants, shedding light on focusing on new evidence that potentially provides solutions.

FOSSIL WOODS OF ULMACEAE  OLD AND NEW

Elisabeth A. Wheeler1 and Steven R. Manchester2 1 Department of Wood and Paper Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. 27605-8005, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA, e-mail: [email protected]

The family Ulmaceae comprises six genera: Hemiptelea, Holopte- and Cannabaceae have distinctive combinations of characters that al- lea, Phyllostylon, Planera, Ulmus, and Zelkova. Woody genera formerly low their recognition is addressed. This review provides the context for assigned to Ulmaceae and now assigned to Cannabaceae include reviewing the Tertiary fossil woods assigned to these families. Eocene Aphananthe, Celtis, Gironniera, Pteroceltis, and Trema. The systematic woods from western North America include unequivocal members of utility of wood anatomy of Ulmaceae and Cannabaceae is reviewed, and Ulmaceae, and there is a rich fossil record of fruits, seeds, and leaves of the relationships of wood anatomical features to recent phylogenetic both families. We describe new occurrences of Ulmaceae woods from analyses shown. The question of whether diffuse porous Ulmaceae the Eocene of Oregon, USA.

THE BIRTH OF A MIRE: THE ONSET OF COAL FORMATION IN THE EOCENE OF GEISELTAL, GERMANY

Volker Wilde1, Karin Schmidt1 and Walther Riegel1, 2 1 Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Sektion Paläobotanik, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum Göttingen, Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstrasse 3, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: [email protected]

In Germany the terrestrial Eocene is represented by several out- ever, prior to flooding of the area, the authors studied and documented standing “Fossillagerstätten” which are located within a relatively lim- several largely continuous sections between 2000 and 2003 in detail. ited geographical area. At the Geiseltal the sediment sequence includes These sections extend from the base of the “Unterkohle”, correlated bi- numerous individual fossil sites spanning the entire Middle Eocene and ostratigraphically with the Messel oil shale, to the “Oberkohle” of Upper parts of the Upper Eocene. Systematic excavations mainly aiming at Eocene age. vertebrate fossils seized when mining in the area ended in 1992. How- The onset of mire resp. coal formation represents a profound

158 change in the environment which has not been studied in detail thus base of the Geiseltal coal can be compared with recent occurrences e.g. in far. In the former opencast mine sector “Neumark Nord” the base of southeastern North America. The fallen tree apparently left a clearance in the lower seam was extensively exposed allowing an insight into the the forest and a small pond which has been filled with finegrained sedi- earliest stages of mire development and peat growth of the Geiseltal ments and was gradually closed again by forest overgrowth. The paly- Eocene. Here, a great number of tree stumps and some fallen trees had nological study of the section shows a transition from the dominance of been uncovered by mining and subsequent erosion and were mapped ferns to one of angiosperms and a gradual return to the original conifer over an area of about 5 000 m2. A distinct fallen tree could be traced over forest. Thus, a plant succession is reflected here, which can be similarly a length of 25 m without showing branching. Its base was crosscut by observed in comparable situations today. Finally, slow but persistent sub- a trench revealing a small depression left by the unrooted tree and filled sidence maintained an equilibrium between the accumulation of plant with clay. The uncovered section has been studied palynologically at material and the rise of the ground water table for a long time allowing high resolution. the formation of the unusual thick peat deposit at the Geiseltal (up to Gravel and sands underlying the coal indicate deposition in an up- >100 m) which have been recently mined as lignite. per flow regime which, however, was rapidly abandoned. A high ground Fieldwork in the Geiseltal area was carried out in cooperation with M. water table subsequently permitted the growth of large conifers which Hellmund from the Geiseltalmuseum (Halle/Saale). Important assistance probably belonged to taxa, formerly combined in the family Taxodiaceae and advice regarding our work at the base of the succession at Neumark (now included in Cupressaceae s.l.). Their density and distribution at the Nord was given by B.R.T. Simoneit (Corvallis, Oregon, USA) and A. Otto.

THE MALE CONE OF PSEUDOFRENELOPSIS DALATZENSIS FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF NORTHEAST CHINA

Xiao-Ju Yang Department of Palaeobotany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE-104 05 Stockholm Sweden and Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China, e-mail: [email protected]

The Lower Cretaceous Dalazi Formation of Yanji Basin, eastern Jilin, topore is typically 3.2 µm in diameter. At the proximal pole the triradiate is one of the early angiosperm-bearing sediments in China and yields laesurae are typically 3.2 m long. abundant animal and plant fossils. Recent investigations have identified The pollen wall consists of two layers: the nexine and the sexine. The Pseudofrenelopsis dalatzensis as the most common plant in the Dalazi nonsculptured nexine is very thin and roughly follows the inner contour Formation where it appears to be monospecific in some layers. of the sexine. The sexine consists of a tectate layer and a baculate layer. A Classopollis-containing male cone was found in close associa tion The tectate layer is homogeneous enveloping the entire pollen grain, with Pseudofrenelopsis dalatzensis. The small ovoid cone is borne ter- thicker at the equatorial area and thinner at the cryptopore, subequato- minally on a short stalk and consists of helically arranged microsporo- rial circular furrow and trifid tetrad. The baculate layer is absent on the phylls, each with a distal rhomboid head. The short shoot is divided into cryptopore, the trifid tetrad scar and the subequatorial canal. The sur- distinct nodes and internodes with fine longitudinal striations. Cuticles face sculpture (the external sculpture of sexine) consists of tiny bacula. of the microsporophyll and the internode of the short shoot are gener- The infratectal sculptural elements may be absent or reduced. The vari- ally similar to the internode cuticles of P. dalatzensis, both having a pap- ous arrangements and fusion of these sculptural elements create vari- illate outer surface. Stomata are similar in structure and arrangement ous patterns of sculpture: gemmate, verrucose or verrucate, cerebrel- with papillae of subsidiary cells overhanging the stomatal pit. Epidermal loid or vermiculate. cells are rectangular or isodiametric, each with a robust papilla on the There is a general morphological similarity between the present periclinal wall. Hypodermal cells are present in the non-stomatal files. pollen grains and those of the other members of Cheirolepidiaceae. It The in situ pollen grains are of Classopollis type, more or less spheri- is, however, difficult to attribute the in situ pollen to any of the currently cal and about 16–21 µm in diameter. The equatorial band consists of known species. eight to eleven transverse flanges and grooves, which form the charac- The present male cone was preserved together with abundant teristic parallel equatorial striae of the pollen grain. The flanges are mas- vegetative shoots of Pseudofrenelopsis dalatzensis. Although a direct sive with a smooth or slightly wavy edge. In some case the flange edges connection has not been proven, based on the close association and are uneven with flutes and papilla-like teeth. Occasionally, the flutes of the striking similarities in gross morphology and cuticular structure adjacent flanges may form a common flute perpendicular or oblique between the microsporophyll and the leaf, and the fertile and vegeta- to the equatorial band. The subequatorial circular furrow (rimula), situ- tive shoots, this male cone undoubtedly belongs to Pseudofrenelopsis ated at the distal edge of an equatorial band. At the distal pole the cryp- dalatzensis.

A NEW CHEIROLEPIDIACEOUS CONIFER FROM THE EARLY JUR ASSIC OF THE JUNGGAR BASIN, NORTHERN XINJIANG AND ITS PALEOCLIMATIC IMPLICATION

Xiao-Ju Yang1, 2, Sheng-Hui Deng3 and Wen-Ben Li 2 1 Department of Palaeobotany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE-104 05 Stockholm Sweden 2 Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China, e-mail: [email protected] 3 Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, China

Jurassic strata are well exposed in the Junggar Basin, North Xinjiang Brachyphyllum type, compressed and no more than 3 mm wide, with Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwest China. The Haojiagou geological scale-like, spirally appressed leaves. The abaxial cuticles of the leaves section (44° N, 87.8° E) near Urumqi in the south of the basin is a typical are normally more than 10 µm thick (up to 20 µm). The outer surface is section for the Lower Jurassic Badaowan and Sangonghe formations. uneven and there are numerous hairs along the edge of the leaf. The The Sangonghe Formation is considered to be of Early Toarcian age. abaxial cuticles show dense stomata in rows separated by non-stomatal Shoots of Cheirolepidiaceae have been discovered in the Jung- rows. Stomata are circular to elliptical, mostly oriented longitudinally gar Basin from the Sangonghe Formation for the first time. They are of or obliquely, slightly sunken below the level of normal epidermal cells.

159 Stomata, without typical polar cells, are surrounded by 5–6 subsidiary on statistical analyses of family- and genus-level compilations of global cells. A thick Florin ring is present with papillae of each subsidiary cell data on marine animals and C-isotope records. The event was associ- overhanging the stomatal pit. ated with an oceanic anoxic event and mass extinction in the marine Northern Hemisphere Mesozoic Brachyphyllum-type leafy shoots ecosystem. In terrestrial ecosystems this event is mainly indicated by the have been assigned to the Araucariaceae and the extinct Cheirolepid- appearance in northern high latitude areas such as Siberia during the iaceae. We macerated rock samples from the bed containing Brachyphyl- Toarcian by the presence of thermophilous plants and a sharp increase lum-type leaf for palynological investigation. No pollen of Araucariaceae of Classopollis pollen abundance. The event is also indicated by a consid- was present in the assemblage whereas Classopollis is abundant (up to erable decrease in dark sediments and significant decline or even cessa- 75.18 %). The presence of Classopollis, which is undoubtedly produced tion of coal accumulation. by cheirolepidiaceous plants, supports the assignment of Brachyphyllum Vakhrameev thought that the Toarcian temperature rise and arid to the family Cheirolepidiaceae. Since no fructification is associated with event was restricted to a short interval during the Early Toarcian, fol- the Sangonghe shoots, a definite assignment of the fossils to Hirmeriella lowed by a fall in temperature during the Middle Toarcian. The occur- is impossible at present and we, therefore, provisionally refer the fossil rence of the cheirolepidiaceous conifer Brachyphyllum (Hirmeriella?) sp. twigs to Brachyphyllum (Hirmeriella?) sp., awaiting further evidence. together with abundant occurrence of Classopollis pollen in the San- Cheirolepidiaceae are generally considered to indicate warm and/ gonghe Formation provides support for a significant temperature rise or dry climate and high abundance (60–75 %) of Classopollis in a paly- in the Junggar Basin, also in Northwest China during the Early Jurassic nomorph assemblage have been used to indicate an arid climate. (Early Toarcian), supporting the hypothesis for a warming event at that The Toarcian thermal event described by Vakhrameev was based time.

OLENEKIAN LOWER TRIASSIC MIOSPORES OF THE MOSCOW SYNECLISE AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH LYCOPSIDS

Olga P. Yaroshenko Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevskii pereulok 7, Moscow 119017, Russia

The Densoisporites nejburgii-Kraeuselisporites saeptatus palyno- Skilliostrobus, and Annalepis (Retallak, 1975; Grauvogel-Stamm, Duringer, complex was studied in the sediments of the Lower Olenekian Rybinsk 1983; Meyen, 1987). The affinity of the dispersed Aratrisporites spores and Horizon that bears mass findings of the lycopsid Pleuromeia rossica (Neu- the Tomiostrobus microspores was confirmed by similar morphological burg, 1960) along with the Benthosuchus fauna. The cooccurrence of D. ne- features in the Lower Triassic of Kuzbass (Yaroshenko, 1988) and by the jburgii and P. rossica spores and the analogous morphological structures of established concurrent occurrence of numerous Aratrisporites and the D. nejburgii and microspores from the P. rossica sporangium (Yaroshenko, Tomiostrobus strobiles in the Induan of the Pechora syneclise (Yaroshenko 1975; Lugardon et al., 1999) confirm the reference of dispersed spores et al., 1991) and Barents Sea shelf and in the Ladinian of the Franz Josef to the lycopsid P. rossica. The assemblage with abundant D. nejburgii in- Land (Fefilova, 1997, 2003). The stratigraphic range of D. nejburgii and cludes D. playfordi, K. cuspidus, Lundbladispora, Pechorosporites disertus, P. rossica is known from the Induan to Anisian, however, their flourishing P. coronatus, Endosporites papillatus, Pretricolpipollenites, numerous Cy- corresponds to the Olenekian. The Aratrisporites spores are characteristic cadopites, and scarce Aratrisporites and Lunatisporites. The Densoisporites of the whole Triassic in both Northern and Southern hemispheres (Helby nejburgii-Kraeuselisporites saeptatus assemblage is well correlated with et al., 1987; Foster, Archbold, 2001). the nejburgii Subzone of the Middle Buntsandstein in the German Basin Major morphological characters of the dispersed spores analogous (Orlowska-Zwolinska, 1984; Fijalkowska-Mader, 1999), the Svalis-2 zone of to microspores of lycopsids are likely dictated by the environment of the Barents Sea (Vigran et al., 1998), and with a lot of assemblages from maternal plants that grew on the coasts of seas and intracontinental continental and marine sediments. The sediments of the Gam Horizon basins. The wide distribution of Pleuromeiaceae in the second half of bearing the Upper Olenekian Parotosuchus fauna contain the Cyclover- the Early Triassic in both low and high latitudes indicates the lack of rutriletes presselensis-Jerseyiaspora punctispinosa-Aratrisporites tenuispino- sharp climatic contrasts: the aridization was weakened and humidity sus palynocomplex that is characterized by a great diversity of the Verruco- increased. This most likely coincided with the vast Olenekian transgres- sisporites and Cyclotriletes spores, abundance of the Aratrisporites spores, sion that occurred synchronously in the Boreal and Tethian regions. The and by the appearance of Jerseyiaspora and C. presselensis. This species latter indicated an important abiotic event (Lozovsky, 1992). Accumula- is the most short-lived marker of the upper Middle Buntsandstein in the tions of macro- and microspores of these lycopods both in alluvial-la- Germanic Basin (Schulz, 1998) and of the Spathian in the Alpine realm custrine and lacustrine facies, widely represented in the East European (Visscher, Brugman, 1981). Aratrisporites spores were produced by the Platform, as well as in the sediments of the Tethian and Boreal coastal lycopsid genera close to P. rossica, namely, by Tomiostrobus, Cyclostrobus, regions (Dobruskina, 1982) do not appear to be accidental.

PROVENANCE OF RECYCLED PALYNOMORPH ASSEMBLAGES RECOVERED FROM SURFICIAL GLACIOMARINE SEDIMENTS IN BR ANSFIELD STR AIT, OFFSHORE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

Sangheon Yi Geological and Environmental Hazards Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, 30 Gajeong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-350, Korea

Glaciomarine surficial sediments in cores taken from Bransfield suggests that they reflect vegetation that was endemic to the Weddelli- Strait, adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula, have yielded abundant re- an Biogeographic Province, which includes what is now Seymour Island, cycled and contemporaneous (Pleistocene-Holocene) palynomorphs. James Ross Island and other parts of the Antarctic Peninsula region. The The former are derived principally from Late Cretaceous-Paleogene sediments concerned are considered to have accumulated as a result of sediments and provide information on glaciomarine depositional con- ice-rafting and discharge of subglacial meltwater. ditions and sediment source areas. The composition of the assemblages

160 LATE PLIOCENE PALYNOSTR ATIGR APHY AND CLIMATIC CHANGES OF THE YAMATO BASIN, EAST SEA/JAPAN SEA: ODP LEG 127, HOLE 798B

Sangheon Yi1 and Young-Joo Lee2 1 Geological and Environmental Hazards Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon 305-350, Korea 2 Petroleum and Marine Resources Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon 305-350, Korea

The palynological study from the selected intervals (Section 798B- currence of Fagus, although T-C-C have no change in occurrence from 31X, 286.4–296.73 mbsf) of core drilled in ODP Leg 128, Hole 798B on the preceding zone. Cryptomeria and evergreen tree such as Quercus Oki Ridge in the Yamato Basin, East Sea/Japan Sea, provides a consistent (Cyclobalanopsis), which is loving warm temperate and wet, increase in pollen stratigraphy and a solid basis for Asian monsoon climate history this zone. Pollen assemblage can indicate warm temperate and wet cli- during the Late Pliocene. The palynological assemblages are composed matic conditions during the period of Pollen Zone II. of terrestrial-derived pollen and marine dinoflagellates. Six local pol- Pollen Zone III (292.32–291.25 mbsf) is characterized by abruptly de- len assemblage zones (LPAZ) and seven LPA subzones are suggested. crease in total sum of palynomorphs and total number of palynomorphs. Each LPAZ reflects its paleoenvironmental history such as paleoclimate Moreover, T-C-C and Pinus (Diploxylon) are predominated. By contrast, changes. Pollen analyses allow recognition of well-known episodes of evergreen tree, Quercus (Cyclobalanopsis) decrease in this zone. There- climate evolution (development of major Northern Hemisphere glacia- fore, the climate conditions are probably interpreted as cool temperate tion and of mixed conifer-deciduous forest at 2.5–2.3 Ma), as well as now and dry conditions. insights into climate dynamics such as occurrences of short, warm ex- Pollen Zone IV (291.05–287.80 mbsf) is characterized by decline in cursions and of unstable periods. The palynological assemblages and occurrence of T-C-C and Pinus (Diploxylon). On the other hand, warm- inferred climatic conditions of each pollen zone are given as follows: loving evergreen tree, Quercus (Cyclobalanopsis) and broadleaved de- Pollen Zone I (296.73–294.96 mbsf) is characterized by the predomi- ciduous tree, such as Corylus/Ostrya, Ulmus/Zelkova, increase in this nance of Taxaceae-Cephalotaxaceae-Cupressaceae (T-C-C) and abun- zone. The assemblage may reflect warm temperate climatic conditions. dance of Fagus, Pinus (Diploxylon), Quercus (Lepidobalanus) and Ulmus/ Pollen Zones V–VI (287.60–286.40 mbsf) is characterized by the pre- Zelkova. An abundance of cool-tolerant conifers (Pinus) and broadleaved dominance of T-C-C and Pinus (Diploxylon). Evergreen trees including deciduous tree (Fagus) may reflect cool temperate and dry climatic con- Castanopsis/Lithocarpus and Quercus (Cyclobalanopsis) increase upward. ditions during the period of Pollen Zone I. From the assemblage, Pollen Zones V–VI can be considered as more Pollen Zone II (294.76–292.52 mbsf) shows the sudden decline in oc- warm temperate and wet than the preceding zone.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VISTULA DELTA ZULAWY AREA ACCORDING TO THE PALYNOLOGICAL DATA

Joanna Zachowicz Polish Geological Institute, Branch of Marine Geology, 80-328 Gdansk, Koscierska 5, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

The Vistula Delta (Zulawy) is lying in the north of Poland on the cover occurred. Lime (Tilia), elm (Ulmus) and even hornbeam (Carpinus) southern coast of the Baltic Sea and covers an area of ca. 1 800 km2. The were gradually replaced by pine, which became the main component delta stretches at an altitude ranging from about 10 m a.s.l., where the of the forest. At the same time the role of plants connected with hu- Vistula branches into two main streams, to -1.8 m b.s.l. in its north-east- man husbandry (cereals and synantropic plants) and the communities ern part. of open areas increased. The relief of the sub-Holocene surface in the Vistula Delta Plain is The stable position of the Vistula Barrier as well as beginning of la- almost entirely erosive; primary glacial relief may be found in only few goonal mud deposition in Vistula Lagoon is palynologically dated to the places. Erosive topography is visible as narrow depressions trending in Middle Atlantic and according to 14C datings – is younger than 6.4 ka B.P. a roughly meridian direction. They are Vistula River palaeochanels origi- The Vistula Lagoon occupied the largest areas at the end of the Atlantic nated at various times. period. During the Subboreal and Subatlantic the dry land areas enlarge The history of the Vistula Delta (Zulawy) is presented on the basis visibly because the Delta Plain was under conditions of slightly ceasing of pollen analysis of five profiles. Two of them are from Vistula Lagoon sea level rise. (Ib and IIIa), one – from Lake Druzno, one – from Vistula Delta Plain The first cultural horizon connected with human settlements is dat- (Niedzwiedziowka) and one – from Vistula Barrier (Stegna). In case of ed on the Neolithic. Many times human activity was disturbed by floods three sites the results of palynological analyses are supplemented by as indicate discontinuous occurrence of pollen grains related to man. the diatom analyses as well. The pollen diagrams from these sites show Since Early Medieval times increased of human activity is recorded in the considerable diversity of the landscape of the Vistula Delta Plain. pollen diagrams very well. At the end of Atlantic period the Vistula Delta area was covered The distribution of archaeological sites over Vistula Delta Plain in- by mixed forests with oak (Quercus), pine (Pinus), poplar (Populus) and dicates the shoreline position of the Vistula Lagoon in different times. beech (Betula) but the most important role in the landscape played al- From the Neolithic time all changes in the area were caused by several der (Alnus), which with ash (Fraxinus), oak and hazel (Corylus) formed for- factors: the climate (rise in humidity caused the degradation of soils), ests in habitats periodically flooded or in swamp areas with poor drain- human impact (clearing the forests on fertile soils), sea level rise and the age. During the Subatlantic period the visible changes in natural plant Vistula Lagoon shoreline displacement.

161 MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE VEGETATION IN THE VALLEY OF JAR AMA RIVER MARESA SITE, ARGANDA DEL REY, MADRID, SPAIN

María Blanca Ruiz Zapata1, Alfredo Perez-González2, Joaquin Panera3, Miriam Dorado1, Ana Valdeolmillos1, Clemencia Gómez1 and Maria José Gil García1 1 Dpto.Geología, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Dpto. Geodinámica Externa, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain 3 Museo Arqueológico Regional, CAM, Alcalá de Henares Madrid, Spain

This work shows the first pollen sequence of the Jarama River depos- groups; which show a temporal sequence: “forest-shrub-herbs-forest”, its, near to San Martin de la Vega village (Madrid). The river valleys in the which defined a cycle degradation/recuperation. The main component Madrid tectonic basin, have a highest number of deposits, (to +3–5 m or of the forest is Pinus, accompanied by river-side taxa (Alnus and Salix); alluvial plain, +17–18 m, +24–25 m, +40–41 m, +52–53 m, +82–83, +99– the shrubs landscape is formed by Juniperus, and a few values of Cis- 100 m, +125–126 m and +147–148 m), formed under climate and structural taceae, Ericaceae and Rosaceae. Artemisia, with Asteraceae, Chenopo- control. In the area of study, the fluvial deposits are only on the left mar- diaceae and Poaceae, indicate the main taxa in the herbaceus group, gin, due to the fact that the Jarama river valley is asymmetric. The deposits which are characterized by the highest diversity, too. At the same times to +30–32, + 23–24 and +18–2° have a complex structure, due a synsedi- we observed a sporadic presence of the Mediterranean taxa (Olea and mentary subsidence, defined as the “Terraza Compleja of Arganda”. Quercus-sp) and a few values of elements such as Betula, Corylus, Juglans, This deposit is formed by 4 lithostratigraphic units (Aganda-I, Ar- typical of the temperate conditions. The aquatic taxa are present along ganda.II, Arganda III and Arganda-IV), but only the Arganda-I unit, is the sequence; Cyperaceae is a main element but other taxa, such as Epi- formed by limnic materials with shells of freshwater mollusc; also there lobium, Myriophyllum, or Nymphaceae, are present at the same time. are a micromammals associations, which allows detecting an age be- The vegetation allows detecting a Mediterranean climate condition. tween the Cullar Bazar association (Granada. Spain) and TD-10 and G-II On the other hand, it is possible to observe that in the area, always was levels, of the Atapuerca site (Burgos. Spain), probably in OIS-9 or OIS-11. a river and, around of this, was the possibility to development aquatic On the other hand, the macromammals associations (Palaeoloxodon an- vegetation (river-side trees and herbs). Pollen data show an excellent tiquus as a main element), together to Achelense industry, located this stage, from to rest and live the mammals and other animals, and explain formation in a Middle Pleistocene age. the presence of nitrophilic (Plantago, Rumex, Urtica) herbs. Finally, some In the palynological point of view, the pollen data show some char- changes in the composition (Mediterranean by temperate taxa, because acteristics about the composition and vegetation evolution. We ob- never are together), are accounted with changes in the humid condi- served the evolution in the landscape through changes in forest – herbs tions.

ATLAS OF POLLEN AND SPORES OF THE POLISH NEOGENE, VOL. 3  ANGIOSPERMS 1  IN PREPAR ATION

Maria Ziembińska-Tworzydło1 and Barbara Słodkowska2 1 Institute of Geology, Warsaw University, Al. Żwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Polish Geological Institute, Rakowiecka 4, 00-975 Warsaw, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

The “Atlas of pollen and spores of the Polish Neogene”, volume 3 is On the frame an achievement of the Atlas, the Polish Palynological continued by the same team as for the two previous volumes (spores Database – Neogene has been modified by applied new software and and gymnosperms): Grabowska I., Kohlman-Adamska A., Słodkowska B., adapted to Internet use. Database contains data from the Polish Neo- Ważyńska H., Ziembińska-Tworzydło M. and L. Stuchlik editor. The edi- gene palynological profiles which are described in the all volumes of tion of the third volume of the Atlas is planned on the end of 2006, and the Atlas. Data stored in the database contain whole information about contains description of the first part of angiosperm pollen grains from locality of the profiles and authors references. Each locality has geologi- the Polish Neogene sediments. It contains porate and colpate (mono- cal definition like: lithology, lithostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, bios- and bicolpate) as well as inaperturate pollen grains of aquatic plants. tratigraphy, palaeoenvironment and palaeogeography. The database Some nomenclature problems e.g. after the ICBN, pollen of Pterocarya includes also detailed information about occurrence of sporomorph belongs to morpho-genus Polyatriopollenites and not to Pterocaryapol- species: revised genus and species names, author, botanical affinity, lenites although such pollen grains have been found in situ in inflores- palaeofloristical element, climatic and geographic occurrence of corre- cences of Pterocarya sosnicensis in Neogene sediments from Sosnica, sponding recent taxa and stratigraphical distribution. western Poland.

STAGES OF PICEA, ULMUS, QUERCUS, AND CARPINUS EXPANSIONS IN BELARUS IN THE LATE GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE POLLEN MAPS

Valentina Zernitskaya Institute of Geochemistry and Geophysics, NAS of Belarus, Kuprevich Street, 7, 220141 Minsk, Belarus

The northern part of Belarus belongs to the oak-dark coniferous for- – pine forest subzone. The southern limit of continuous distribution of est subzone, the central part lies within the hornbeam-oak-dark conifer- Picea abies, the northeastern limit of Carpinus betulus, and the northern ous forest subzone, and the southern part is situated in the broad-leaved limit of Ulmus campestris run through Belarus.

162 The suggested pollen maps were based on the results of palyno- nized at 9.5 ka BP. The maximum Ulmus expansion (up to 10 %) dated to logical investigation of 124 lacustrine and bog deposits. Radiocarbon the interval of 8.0–6.0 ka BP. Rapid degradation of Ulmus communities dates were available from 43 sites. was revealed at 5.0 ka BP. Since 2.0 ka BP the contents of Ulmus pollen Stages of Picea expansion (pollen maps for 11.0 14C ka BP, 10.5, 9.0, did not exceed 1 %. 8.0, 6.0, 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, 1.0 ka BP, and present-day time slices): The maxi- Stages of Quercus expansion (pollen maps for 9.0 ka BP, 8.0, 7.0, 6.0, mum percentages of Picea pollen (40 % and higher) were noted at 10.5 5.0, 3.0, 2.0 ka BP, and present-day time slices): Quercus pollen appeared ka BP in the northeast of Belarus, and at 4.0, 3.0, and 1.0 ka BP in the for the first time in Allerød deposits in the south of Belarus. However, the north of the country. A less significant rise of Picea (up to 20 %) occurred main phase of oak immigration from Ukraine and Russia to the south- in these areas at 8.0 and 6.0 ka BP. Picea immigrated to the northeast east and east of Belarus took place about 9.0 ka BP. The highest partici- of Belarus from the central areas of the Russian Upland. The expansion pation of Quercus (15 %) was revealed between 6.0 and 3.0 ka BP in the of Picea communities was probably consistent with wetter and colder western, northwestern, and eastern sites. climatic stages of the Holocene. Stages of the Carpinus expansion (pollen maps for 7.0 ka BP, 6.0, Stages of the Ulmus expansion (pollen maps for 10.5 ka BP, 9.5, 8.0, 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0 ka BP, and present-day time slices): The earliest horn- 7.0, 6.0, 5.0, 3.0, 2.0 ka BP, and present-day time slices): Initial immigra- beam pollen was found at 7.0 ka BP in the south and southeast of the tion of elm (less than 1 % of Ulmus in pollen spectra) from the Volyno- country. Since 4.0 ka BP the eastward migration direction (from Poland) Podolian and Lublin Uplands to the southwestern areas of Belarus was prevailed. The maximum contents (3–7 %) were registered at the 4.0–2.0 registered about 10.5 ka BP. Other migration routes (from Ukraine and ka BP interval in the western and southwestern regions of Belarus. Else- Russia to the southern and southeastern regions of Belarus) were recog- where the contents of Carpinus pollen rarely exceeded 1 %.

THE MIDDLE EOCENE MICROFLOR A OF THE PRINCETON CHERT OF SOUTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA

Reinhard Zetter Department of Palaeontology, Geocentre, Althanstr. 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected]

The middle Eocene Princeton Chert of southern British Columbia is tantly the SEM technique, allows the distinction of more than 100 pollen famous for its diverse, well preserved and permineralized vascular plant and spore taxa: Pteridophytes (e.g., Osmunda, Polypodiaceae), gymno- fossils. Previous knowledge of pollen was solely restricted to in situ pol- sperms (e.g., Cathaya, Pinus, Cedrus, Picea, Ginkgo, Tsuga, Taxodiaceae, len grains of fossil flowers. Now, an attempt to extract fossil pollen and Cupressaceae), and angiosperms (e.g., Liliaceae, Iridaceae, Arecaceae, spores from the silicified sedimentary rocks was very successful. The mi- Hamamelidaceae, Rutaceae, Rosaceae, Juglandaceae and many others). croflora obtained is composed of very well preserved pollen and spores, With the additional knowledge of pollen and spore taxa the reconstruc- which originate from the lacustrine environment (e.g., Decodon, Typha), tion of more zonal vegetation types of the Princeton Chert area for mid- but as well mainly from different habitats of the hinterland. The ongo- dle Eocene times is now possible. ing investigation of this particular microflora with LM, but most impor-

MIDCRETACEOUS POLLEN FROM THE VILUI BASIN SIBERIASEM STUDIES OF VERY SMALL GR AINS

Reinhard Zetter and Christa Ch. Hofmann Department of Palaeontology, Geocentre, Althanstr. 14, A-1090 Vienna, e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Fine-grained fluvial sediments of the late Albian to Maastrichtian (5–20 µ) SEM investigations are indispensable. The angiosperm pollen Timerdyakh Formation from the Vilui Basin (Sibiria) have been investi- grains documented here are affiliated to the Platanaceae, Fagaceae, gated for their pollen content and organic facies. Many samples yielded Juglandaceae, Myricaceae, Cercidiphyllaceae, and Trochodendraceae a very diverse palynomorph flora; altogether more than 150 taxa have families, and the form genus Aquilapollenites. Many of these taxa can been identified in the whole succession. The flora, which can be affili- be only distinguished by micro-features (sculpture elements) under the ated to the Aquilapollenites-Province, comprises approximately 36–70 % SEM. For example, the Fagaceae are characterized by criss-cross rod-like angiosperm pollen types, 11–15 % fern spore types (e.g., Osmunda, sculpture elements on the surface, the Juglandaceae by regular spinose Schizaeaceae, and Polypodiaceae) 3–30 % bisaccate gymnosperm sculptures and the different Platanaceae types by their uniquely orna- types (e.g., Pinus and Cathaya), and 6–22 % Taxodiaceae (e.g., Sequoia). mented reticulae. Because of the minute sizes of most of the angiosperm pollen grains

163 ZHAMANK AINDYI  AN UNUSUAL FLOR A OF THE END OF LATE EOCENE IN CENTR AL K AZAKHSTAN

Sergey G. Zhilin Komarov Botanical Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia

The Zhaman-Kaindy-I flora was described on the basis of leaf re- longifolia Ung. (Late Eocene-Early Oligocene, in Kazakhstan) can be mains. The numbered designation is given to distinguish it from the named, as common for the floras of the Turgayan type. Further, some Aquitanian floras of Zhaman-Kaindy-II, III and IV discovered in the same plants unusual for Kazakhstan can be quoted, e. g., Myrica dilodendri- slopes of the right bank of the Zhaman-Kaindy River, due to the absence folia Vassilevsk., M. zachariensis Sap., Rhus enbekshiensis Ig. Vassil., and of other toponyms in this area. Judging from the habit of leaves, the Rh. minutifolia Ig. Vassil. In the Zhaman-Kaindy-I flora, Myrica dilodendri- Zhaman-Kaindy-I flora is quite xeromorphic. It is composed of species folia and “Rhus” turcomanica Korov. ex Vassilevsk. appear as species of with small narrow leaves, mostly dentate, with tightly condensed ve- the Mid Eocene Badkhyz flora (Turkmenia, close to Kazakhstan), “Rh.” nation. Some similarity with it is shown by the Tortmola-II Flora (Tokar’ turcomanica being known since the Palaeocene (Wuyun flora, Northern and Kornilova, 1974, and my own collection, 1987), a more ancient one China) to the Early Oligocene (Central and West Kazakhstan). There are than the usual “Turgayan” Tortmola-I flora (Kornilova, 1954). This flora, also specimens in the Zhaman-Kaindy-I flora extremely similar to Can- as well as Zhaman-Kaindy-I, was originally dated as Middle Oligocene. nabis. A C. oligocenica P. Friedrich is described from the Eocene of Ger- The Zhaman-Kaindy-I flora is undoubtedly of Palaeogene age, but its many, but Kazakhstan specimens deserve being erected as a separate unusual composition distinguishes it among all Eocene and Oligocene species. Especially interesting for comparison is a representative of the Kazakhstan floras (Zhilin, 1989, 2002). The stratigraphic position of the North American Eocene genus Stonebergia J. Wolfe et Wehr, 1988 (Ro- Zhaman-Kaindy-I locality is between the Mid Eocene marine sediments saceae). A branch of Stonebergia found in the Zhaman-Kaindy-I locality and the Aquitanian Kaydagul Suite (Zhilin, 2005), to which belong the has been given a species name S. kazakhstanica Zhil. sp. nov. This find- localities Zhaman-Kaindy-II, III, and IV. ing definitely indicates the connections of Eurasia and the west of North Among the Zhaman-Kaindy-I species, first of all Phyllites kvacekii America in the end of the Eocene. Let us mention also the probable af- Bůžek (Late Eocene-Early Miocene, probably from Rosaceae) and Myrica finity of Phyllites kvacekii to the modern American genus Cercocarpus.

THE EEMIAN, EARLY WEICHSELIAN AND HOLOCENE WETLAND ENVIRONMENTS OF THE CENTR AL FOREST STATE RESERVE, RUSSIA BASED ON PLANT MACROFOSSIL ANALYSIS

Inna S. Zuganova Institute of Geography Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: [email protected]

The Central Forest State Reserve is located in the southern part of existed under conditions of warm climate. The upper unit of the organic Valdai Upland closely to the Valdai ice sheet limit. This territory is char- series is poorer in seeds and fruits (3rd macrofossil assemblage), which acterized by glacial relief slightly changed by erosion. The vegetation is may have resulted from a higher degree of peat decomposition. It could dominated by forests of transitive type (from southern taiga to conifer- be that the lacustrine sedimentation gave way to swamp conditions. ous-broadleaved ones); raised bogs are also widely spread. The 4th assemblage corresponds to the beginning of the Valdai The present investigations allowed obtaining detailed palaeobo- glaciation and reflects essential changes in the type of sedimentation. tanical characteristic of the Mikulino (Eemian), Early Valdai (Early Weich- Clastic sediments replaced organic deposits. Remains of Batrachium sp. selian) and Holocene lake-swamp deposits, penetrated by a borehole and Characeae gen. div. are notably prevailing here. That indicates a rise to a depth of 8 m in the south-eastern part of the reserve. It is the most in the water level. Fruit stones of Potamogeton dorofeevii, an extinct spe- complete Late Pleistocene and Holocene sequence known in the reserve. cies characteristic for temperate interstadials and terminal phases of Five plant macrofossil assemblages have been identified in the studied interglacials, are found. A noticeable amount of Selaginella selaginoides section; each of them showing a specific structure of water macrophyte macrospores suggests increasingly cool and humid climate. communities related to a certain stage in lacustrine sedimentation. Unfortunately, the middle and late Valdai deposits are absent in this Three earlier assemblages recovered from the peat (lower part of section. The 5th macrofossil assemblage is dated to the Holocene. It in- the section) are attributed to Mikulino interglacial. The 1st assemblage cludes the seeds and fruits of Rubus ideaus, Naumburgia thysiflora, Men- includes a few remains of thermophylic species such as Najas marina, yanthes trifoliatа, Carex sp. Among tree species, remains of Picea sp., Pi- Salvinia natans, Stratiotes aloides. The 2nd assemblage is richest in plant nus sylvestris, Betula sect. Albae are noted. These macrofossil associations remains. There have been determined nuts of Carpinus betulus and nu- reflect conditions not unlike the modern low bogs. A sizeable amount of merous water plant remains characteristic for climatic optimum (Brase- charcoal recovered from the uppermost part of the Holocene peat may nia holsatica, Trapa natans, Salvinia natans). A variety of the water plants be attributed to human activities. remains suggests a shallow quiet lake, rich in organic substance, which This work was supported by RFBR grant № 05-05-64479.

164 ADDENDA

THE STEPHANIAN B FLOR A OF THE LA MAGDALENA COALFIELD LEÓN, NW SPAIN, A EUROPEAN REFERENCE

Maria Paz Castro Guzmán el Bueno, 84, 28003 Madrid, Spain.

The Cantabrian Mountains in NW Spain contain the most complete taxonomic study, floral assemblages of plant impressions were collect- succession of Stephanian floras in the World, thus becoming a neces- ed here from a total of 85 localities along three transects in the steeply sary reference for comparison elsewhere. La Magdalena Coalfield, in dipping normal flank of an isoclinal syncline. They have yielded 4 827 the northwestern part of the province of León, is a tectonic remnant of samples containing 11 334 identifiable remains attributable to 140 taxa. a post-Asturian basin which represents the latest part in the tectono- These may be ascribed to ca. 100 natural species. A compositional analy- stratigraphic history of the Cantabric-Asturian arcuate fold belt. With sis shows a predominance of pteridosperms in this coalfield, as well as a 1 200 m of plant-bearing strata, La Magdalena succession represents proportional increase in pecopterid ferns in the higher part of the suc- fluvio-lacustrine environments on an alluvial plain and is well known cession and a steady decrease in calamitalean sphenopsids. for its beautiful representation of Stephanian B flora. For a systematic

PERMIAN MICROFLOR A IN THE SOTRES FORMATION, ASTURIAS SPAIN

José B. Diez1, Jean Broutin2 and Enrique Martínez-García3 1 Dpt. Xeociencias Mariñas e Ordenación do Territorio. Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Spain, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Paléobotanique et Paléoécologie/Paléodiversité, Systématique, Évolution des Embryophytes, UMR-CNRS 5143 Université P. et M. Curie Paris VI, 12 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France 3 Dpt. de Geología. Universidad de Oviedo. Arias de Velasco, 33005 Oviedo, Spain

A carbonate and lutite sedimentary succession with volcanogenic Sotres Fm. They have yielded a well preserved small assemblage of pol- intercalations was described at the Sotres locality in the Picos de Europa len and spores including: Alisporites sp., Alisporites splendens, Hamiapol- Area of eastern Asturias (NW, Spain). Firstly named “Sotres Formation”, lenites bullaeformis, Lueckisporites virkkiae, Platysaccus sp., Potonieisporites it was later realized that the upper part of this section, made up of al- novicus, Protohaploxypinus microcorpus, Punctatisporites sp. Striatopodo- ternating red, green and brown sandstones and shales carbonate, is to carpidites sp., Verrucosisporites spp., Vittatina costabilis, Vittatina saccata, be included in the overlying Caravia Formation. The basal member, to Vittatina saccifer and unidentified pollen grains and microspores. which was therefore restricted the Sotres Fm., is made up of a thin ba- The palynomorph assemblage is characterized by the abundance sal calcareous conglomerate overlain by a few meters of volcanogenic of monosaccate pollen Potonieisporites novicus (ca. 66 % Total pollen), lutites with limestone lenses and a 70 m thick alternation of algal lime- the diversity of the taeniate disaccates, and the co-occurrence of repre- stone beds and black lutites, with occasional volcanogenic levels. The sentatives of the polyplicate genus Vittatina. algal content indicated a lacustrine origin for the sediments. The high percentage of Potonieisporites makes this assemblage One preliminary palynological analysis of a sample from the basal quantitatively similar to the “A3 association” from the Autun basin (i.e. black lutites gave a “possible” Autunian age, but no species listing was “Late Autunian” middle Asselian or Kungurian). But the co-occurrence of provided. An “Autunian-like” macroflora from the basal lutites was also Hamiapollenites bullaeformis and Lueckisporites virkkiae leads us to sug- invoked by Wagner and Martínez García. gest a “post “Autunian” – “pre-“Thuringian” age for this palynological Two fossiliferous samples were collected from the basal levels of the association.

RESULTS OF THE PALYNOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LATE PLEISTOCENE DEPOSITS OF THE CAVES VERKHNYAYA AND ZAPOVEDNAYA SOUTHERN UR ALS

Andrey Eremeev Institute of Geology Scientific Centre of Ufa, RAS, K. Marx st. 16/2, Ufa-centre, 450000, Russia, [email protected]

Zapovednaya and Verkhnyay caves are unique archaeological and The bone of Ursus spelaeus from these deposits is of >37 250 years (LU- palaeontological monuments and are located on the western slope of 3876). the Southern Urals in the river Lemeza valley. These sites are biostrati- Pollen of thermophilic broad-leaved Carpinus betulus, Ulmus, and graphically studied from 1996 by the scientists of the Institute of Geol- Quercus disappeared to the end of that period. The part of Polypodia- ogy USC RAN (Ufa, Russia) (Yakovlev et al., 2005). ceae also reduced. The quantity of herbage and Asteraceae increased. Palynologic investigations of the deposits from Zapovednaya cave These are signs of the cooling. Radiocarbon date is 28 700 ± 1 000 years (pits 1, 2) were done by L. I. Alimbekova (Alimbekova et al., 1998) and (LU-3715). A.A. Eremeev (pit 4) and from the Verkhnyay cave (pit 1) were done by A. During the LGM (radiocarbon date is 22 750 ± 1 210 years (LU-3714)) A. Eremeev (Eremeev, 2003, 2005). periglacial steppe with Cichoriaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae and Pollen spectra of Middle Valdai period testify to a probably Atremisia was wide spreaded. spreading of forests and forest-steppe communities in the territory Thus, the vegetation in the Middle-Late Valdai in the middle reaches near the caves. Betula (sec. Albae), Pinus, Alnus, Abies, and Picea with of the Lemeza river valley changed from the forests and forest-steppe broad-leaved Quercus, Tilia, and Ulmus formed the forests. The various with broad-leaved admixture to forest-steppe without thermophilic el- herbage, Asteraceae, Artemisia, and Cyperaceae presented grasses. ements, and to a periglacial steppe.

165 NEW ANATOMICAL EVIDENCE ON TAXONOMIC AFFINITIES OF THE MIROVIACEAE BOSE ET MANUM, A PECULIAR GROUP OF MESOZOIC GYMNOSPERMS

Natalia Gordenko Paleontological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsoyuznaya ul. 123, Moscow, 117647, Russia, e-mail: [email protected].

Cuticles of two new species of Tritaenia – T. glabra and T. striata zone similar to that in the double needles of Sciadopitys. Systematic af- (Gordenko, 1995) and of an unpublished species of Oswaldheeria sp. finity of this group is a matter of a lingering controversy. from the Middle Jurassic of Moscow and Kursk regions (European Rus- Different opinions on the affinity of Tritaenia are based on the leaf sia) are compared to the type material of Tritaenia linkii and T. scotica. morphology and epidermal characters. This genus was placed in the The leaf outlines, number of stomatal bands, orientation of stomata, Ginkgoaceae or in different families of conifers. Watson and Harrison and the development of encircling cells vary in each of the species and (1998) included Pseudotorellia heterophylla Watson, Tritaenia linkii, and T. the ranges of their variation overlap. Our data indicate close affinity of crassa in a single species Pseudotorellia linkii. Indeed, the morphology of Tritaenia and Oswaldheera. some leaf genera in the Miroviaceae resembles that in the Pseudotorel- Our anatomical data show that resin ducts in Tritaenia glabra, T. stria- liaceae. At the same time, we found both morphological and epidermal ta and Oswaldheeria sp. alternate with the veins. As a rule, the number of distinctions justifying separation of Tritaenia from Pseudotorellia and the veins and resin ducts is correlated with the number of stomatal bands. other Ginkgoales. Oswaldheeria sp. from Kursk Region has two veins and one median sto- Among the conifers, leaves with several veins, as in the Miroviace- matal band; Tritaenia glabra has four veins and three stomatal bands; ae occur in both the Araucariaceae and Podocarpaceae. However, the and T. striata has eight veins and seven stomatal bands. Veins are sunken stomatal structures in the Miroviaceae significantly differ from those in in the mesophyll and inconspicuous on the lower side of the leaf. Al- the Araucariaceae and other coniferous families, being more similar to though discrete resin ducts were not previously observed in the leaves those of the Podocarpaceae. of T. linkii (Manum et al., 2000), we confirm their presence in the material Taxonomic status of the Miroviaceae remains an open question, yet from the type locality. Therefore, we consider resin ducts as a constant the leaf anatomy gives no evidence of close affinities to either Pseudo- feature of this genus. torelliaceae or Sciadopityaceae, to which this group has been previously Tritaenia and Oswaldheeria both are members of a peculiar Mesozo- allied. On the basis of epidermal characters, both Oswaldheeria and ic group Miroviaceae represented by the leaf and shoot remains alone. Tritaenia are most similar to the Podocarpaceae, but differ from extant This group is also known as “Sciadopitys-like leaves”, because all the leaf representatives of this latter family in the structure of their leaf vein tra- genera of Miroviaceae (excluding Tritaenia) have a median stomatal cheids.,

MESOZOIC GNETOPHYTES AND THE ADVENT OF ANGIOSPERMS

Valentin Krassilov Paleontological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Profsoyuznaya 123 Moscow117647, Russia; Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mt Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel, e-mail: [email protected]

The gnetophytic theory of angiosperm origin seemed hopelessly terivian to Aptian). They are represented by the widely diverse forms in obsolete in the later half of XX century, but was revived on account of the the Early Cretaceous of Transbaikalia, Mongolia and northern – central recently discovered diversity of Mesozoic gnetophytes, some of which China (some of them are still erroneously described as angiospermous). are closer to angiosperms than their extant survivors. A considerable They were dominant in the wetland plant communities of intraconti- diversity of gnetophytes or proto-gnetophytes appeared in the Triassic nental lacustrine rift basins of black shale deposition. (major localities in the North America and South Africa, with potential, This evolutionary stage seems to have been represented in the Early so far little studied representatives in the Fore-Urals and elsewhere). Of Cretaceous of Middle East and northern Africa (Afrasita Krassilov, 2004), them, Dinophyton (the Dinophytales Krassilov and Ash, 2006) from the Victoria, Australia (Leongathia Krassilov, Dilcher et Douglas, 1998), Spain Chinle Formation, Arizona shares certain characters of ovule morphol- (Montsechia) and, apparently, in equatorial Africa and South America, al- ogy with Palaeozoic trigonocarpalean pteridosperms. though macrofossil remains from this latter areas are insufficiently studied. Gnetophytes were less prominent through the Jurassic, unless rep- Pollen grains of polyplicate and trisulcate (Eucommiidites) morphotypes resented by the ubiquitous Hirmerellales (‘Cheirolepidiaceae’), com- were found in pollen chambers detached supposedly gnetophytic ovules, monly considered as coniferous, but interpreted as gnetophytic by the but the range of pollen morphologies, supposedly greater than in the ex- present author on account of their samaroid ovulate cupules and their tant survivors, still remains undefined in the Mesozoic gnetophytes. pollen morphology (Classopollis). Their putative precursory phyllocladic The habits of Mesozoic gnetophytes might have ranged from arbo- forms have been recently found in the Permian of the Fore-Urals. real to herbaceous, but a considerable part of their growth form diver- More conventional gnetophytes were locally abundant, e.g. the sity constituted the tiny aquatic to semi-aquatic forms growing in fresh- Welwitschia-like Heerala – Aegianthus plant from the mid-Jurassic of Si- water to brackish wetlands. beria, constituting a new order Heerellales Krassilov, 2006. In the light of immense diversity of gnetophytic and other proan- Since Ephedripites-type pollen grains were found in the pollen giosperms, the hunt for the earliest angiosperm fossil becomes point- chambers of ovules borne in the flower-like structures Eoantha zherikhi- less: certain basal angiosperms might have appeared as by-products of nii Krassilov, 1986 (Eoanthales Krassilov, 2006) it became evident that explosive gnetophyte radiation, with spurious records in the late Neo- gnetophytes, rather than angiosperms, experienced a major burst of comian – Aptian. Their own burst of morphological radiation was post- morphological radiation in the later half of the Early Cretaceous (Hau- poned until the decline of gnetophyte diversity through the Albian.

166 TAXONOMICAL AND PALAEOGEOGR APHIC CONSIDER ATIONS ON THE SEEDFERN GENUS PTILOZAMITES

Evelyn Kustatscher1 and Johanna H.A.van Konijnenburg-van Cittert2 1Naturmuseum Südtirol, Bolzano, 39100, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] 2Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Utrecht, 3584 CD and Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands, e-mail: [email protected]

The genus Ptilozamites has been created by Nathorst (1878b), for This systematic revision revealed an interesting biochronostrati- once pinnate leaves laterally attached to the rachis with their whole graphic and palaeogeographic distribution of the genus. The so far base. Originally this genus has been considered restricted to the Rhae- oldest specimens, due to their preservation state not assigned to any tian-Liassic. Lately specimens assigned to this genus have been found species, have been found in the Upper Anisian (lower Middle Triassic) also in older sediments (Middle Triassic). of the Dolomites (N-Italy). From the Ladinian (upper Middle Triassic) Re-examination of the original collections as well as a detailed of the Dolomites comes the first species referred to this genus, Ptilo- literature research permitted to group several original species with zamites sandbergeri. This species is also present in the Carnian (lower respect to the variability within the species. Only 5 species are now Upper Triassic) of the Dolomites and the Julian Alps (both N-Italy). No attributed to Ptilozamites; Ptilozamites heeri (syn. Ptilozamites linearis, specimens of Norian age have been assigned so far to this genus. Dur- Pt. triangularis, Pt. carlsonii, Pt. oldhami), Ptilozamites blasii, Ptilozamites ing the Rhaetian, the presence of dolomitic sediments in the alpine nilssoni (syn. Pt. falcatus, Pt. fallax), Ptilozamites tenuis and Ptilozamites area inhibits preservation of plant material for the Norian-Rhaetian. sandbergeri. ?Ptilozamites bartangensis might also belong to this genus, In other localities of the Northern Hemisphere, however, this genus although the original description and figures are not clear enough to reaches an ample palaeogeografical and taxonomic distribution. be certain of this. While Ptilozamites heeri seems to be endemic for Scania (S-Sweden), Pt. Additionally, some species attributed previously to this genus blasii, is recorded from the Rhaetian both of S-Sweden and Germany. have been removed to other genera, such as Ptilozamites acuminatus Pt. nilssonii is finally the taxon with most elaborate distribution: from transferred to Anomozamites. The leaf fragments described as Ptiloz- Rhaetian sediments of E-Greenland, S-Germany, ?Iran and S-China, to amites bengalense and Ptilozamites shirakii belong to Otozamites and the Rhaeto-Liassic of S-Sweden and Japan. From Japan also Pt. tenuis is the specimens of Ptilozamites chinensis to Pseudoctenis. Already in liter- described. ?Pt. bartangensis is finally described from Pamir (Russia). ature Ptilozamites zuberi was attributed to Dicroidium by Archangelsky, and Ptilozamites cycadea (syn. Ptilozamites bergeri) and Ptilozamites leckenbyi to the genus Ctenozamites by Nathorst.

R ARITY INCREASES EXTINCTION RIST AT THE TRIASSICJUR ASSIC MASS EXTINCTION BOUNDARY

Jennifer C. McElwain1 and Peter Wagner2 1 School of Biological and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. 2 Department of Geology, The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, USA.

Modern conservation theory predicts that a number of ecologi- plant community ecology geometric models often provide the best fit cal traits increase a species risk of extinction. These include ecological for plant communities of early or primary succession. More importantly rarity and a high degree of biological specialization. We have tested we find a marked increase in the slope of the geometric model that best whether there is evidence for extinction selectivity of plant taxa at the described each fossil plant assemblage with decreasing geological age. Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction boundary (200 million years ago) using This trend implies that there is increasing extinction of ecologically rare a paleoecological data set comprising 4 303 specimens macrofossil leaf taxa throughout the Rhaetian. Our analysis indicates that extinction at specimens collected from Kap Stewart Group strata at Atartekløft in the generic level was pulsed, not gradual and that it occurred before the East Greenland. We analyzed plant community structure in six isotapho- globally defined peak extinction at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary (indi- nomic Rhaetian fossil plants beds, including the Triassic-Jurassic bound- cated by a negative carbon isotopic excursion). Furthermore our analy- ary bed by investigating which modern ecological models provide a sis indicates that ecological rarity greatly increases a taxa’s risk of ex- ‘best fit’ for the relative abundance distribution (rank abundances) of tinction before and coincident with the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction fossil leaf genera colleted for each fossil plant bed. Our analysis revealed boundary. These results support predictions of modern conservation that the rank abundances for the majority of the six fossil plant bed can theory and suggest that major ecological changes in Triassic vegetation best be described mathematically by a geometric series. In modern preceded a 90 % species-level extinction at the T-J boundary.

167 INDEX

Abraham, V...... XXVII, 73 Buczkó, K...... XIV, 84 Endress, P. K...... XI, XIII, 34, 36 Abu Hamad, A. M. B...... XIII, 145 Bugdaeva, E...... XXI, 106 Erdei, B...... XV, XXI, XXVI, 36, 40, 52 Abuhmida, F. H...... 1 Buratti, N...... XXV, 23 Eremeev, A...... XXVII, 165 Abzaeva, A...... XIII, 138 Burešová, A...... XXVIII, 33 Erlat, E...... XXVI, 62 Afonin, M. A...... XXVIII, 1 Burova, Z. V...... XXV, 151 Ermakov, N...... XII, 83 Aija, C...... XXVII Butzmann, R...... XXIV, XXVI, 23, 38 Escapa, I...... XX, 27 Akgün, F...... XVIII, XXI, XXIII, XXV, XXVI, Cantrill, D...... XIV, 24, 39 Ewin, T. A. M...... XVI, 36 ...... 1, 2, 5, 36, 62, 63 Castro, M. P...... XXIV, 165 Falcon-Lang, H. J...... XII, XIX, XXII, 30, 37 Akhmetiev, M. A...... XV, XXII, 3, 4 Cerina, A...... XXVII, 24 Favre, E...... XXVI, 40 Akkiraz, M. S...... XVIII, XXVI, 2, 5 Cerutti, A. K...... XXVIII, 89 Feist-Burkhardt, S...... XXIII, XXIV, 47 Al Baloushi, B...... 5 Chaney, D...... XV, 72 Ferguson, D. K...... XXVII, 67 Aleksandrova, G. N...... XVIII, XXV, 6, 55 Channing, A...... XI, 24 Ferrer, J...... XXIV, 124, 151 Alonso-Millán, A...... XXVII, 43 Chapman, J. C...... XIV, XV, 85 Feurdean, A...... XIV, 37 Anderson, C. L...... XXVIII, 6 Chepurnaya, A...... XXVII, XXVIII, 25 Filipova-Marinova, M...... XV, 38 Anderson, H. M...... XXI, 7 Chitaley, S...... XVI, 13 Fischer, T...... XXIV, XXVI, 23, 38 Andreev, A. A...... XIII, XXVII, 7, 117 Chitnarin, A...... XVI, 14 Fontaine, H...... XVI, 14 Antoniadis, P. A., ...... XXI, 101 Chonglakmani, Ch...... XVI, 14 Franceschini, G...... XXIV, 39 Arab, P...... XXVIII, 28 Chytrý, M...... XII, 83 Francis, J. E...... XIV, XV, XXVI, 24, 39, 90, 133 Arbuzova, O. N...... XXVI, 58 Cirilli, S...... XXV, 23 Francois, L. M...... XXVI, 40 Archangelsky, A...... XVI, 42 Cleal, Ch. J...... XXI, 25 Friis, E. M...... XI, XII, 9, 40, 134 Ashraf, A. R...... XIII, XXV, XXVI, 58, 59, 147 Coiffard, C...... XXIII, 25 Gabrielyan, I...... XII, 41 Ashworth, A. C...... XIV, XXVI, 24, 39, 90 Collinson, M. E...... XI, XXII, XXIII, 26, 86 Gallet, Ch...... XXVIII, 28 Averyanova, A...... XX, 8 Compton, S. G. A...... XXVI, 90 Galtier, J...... XI, XIV, XVI, 29, 41, 131 Axsmith, B. J...... XV, 8 Crame, J. A...... XV, 133 Gandolfo, M. A...... XI, XVI, 27, 42 Baas, P...... XVI, XIX, 9 Crane, P. R...... XI, 9 García-Amorena, I...... XVII, 42 Bamford, M. K...... XVIII, 9 Crepet, W. L...... XI, 27 García-Antón, M...... XXVII, 43 Bankole, S. I...... XVIII, 127 Cui, J...... XIII, 157 Garcia-Gil, S...... XXIV, XXV, 31, 47 Baoyin, G...... XXIV, 157 Čulíková, V...... XXVII, 27 Gastaldo, R. A...... XII, 43 Barbacka, M...... XIV, XV, XX, XXII, 10, 16 Cúneo, N. R...... XVI, XX, 27, 42 Gaupp, R...... XIV, 17 Barclay, R. S...... XXI, 11 Czernik, J...... XXVIII, 152 Gavrilova, O. A...... XIX, XXVIII, 43, 44 Barone, M. S...... XXI, 36 Danihelka, J...... XII, 83 Gaydarska, B...... XIV, 85 Barreda, V...... XXVI, 11 Daryin, A. V...... XXVII, 117 Gee, C. T...... XVI, XXVI, 44, 45 Bashforth, A. R...... XII, 12 Dašková, J...... XIII, XVI, XX, 13, 28, 82 Geng, B...... XIII, 157 Bek, J...... XVI, XVII, XXI, XXIV, Daviero-Gomez, V...... XIII, 49 Gensel, P. G...... XII, 45 ...... 12, 13, 35, 82, 101, 110, 111, 156 De Carvalho, G. S...... XVII, 42 Gerasimenko, N...... XII, 46 Beláčková, K...... XI, 33 De Castro-Fernandes, M. C...... XXIV, 14 Gerrienne, P...... XII, XIV, 46, 109 Bengtson, S...... XI, 40 De Franceschi, D...... XIX, XXIV, XXVI, XXVIII, Gianolla, P...... XXIV, XXV, 23, 74 Bernardes-de-Oliveira, M. E. C. . . XI, XXIV, 14, 95 ...... 19, 28, 59, 106 Giersch, S...... XXV, 155 Berry, Ch...... XI, 36 De la Fuente, M...... XIII, XXIV, 29, 49 Gil-García, M. J. G...... XXVII, 162 Berthelin, M...... XVI, 14 De Ville de Goyet, F...... XII, 109 Gil-Romera, G...... XXVII, 43 Bezrukova, E...... XIII, 138 Decombeix, A. L...... XVI, 29 Glasspool, I. J...... XXII, 26 Bezusko, A. G...... XXVI, XXVII, 14, 15 Dejax, J...... XXVIII, 28 Golovneva, L. B...... XIX, 48 Bezusko, L. G...... XXVI, XXVII, 14, 15 Deli, T...... XIV, 85 Gomankov, A. V...... XII, 48 Biró, K. T...... XVII, 91 Deng, S. H...... XXIV, 159 Gomez, B...... XIII, XXIII, XXIV, 25, 29, 49, 76 Blokhina, N. I...... XVII, XXVIII, 15, 18 Denk, T...... XVI, XX, 30, 50, 51 Gomez, C...... XXVII, 162 Blyakharchuk, T. A...... XXVI, 16 Derman, S...... XXV, 63 Gómez-Manzaneque, M. F...... XVII, 42 Bobrov, A. A...... XIII, XXVII, 7 DeVore, M. L...... XXII, XXIII, 30, 105 Goras, G...... XXVIII, 32 Bobrov, A. V. F. Ch...... XIX, 114 Diaz-Molina, M...... XXV, 88 Gordenko, N...... XIV, XX, 49, 166 Bodor, E...... XX, 16 Diez, J. B...... XXIV, XXV, 31, 47, 124, 151, 165 Goryacheva, A...... XXV, 50 Bomfleur, B...... XIV, 17 Dilcher, D. L...... XI, XXIV, 31, 157 Goslar, T...... XXVIII, 152 Bondarenko, O. V...... XVIII, XXVIII, 17, 18 Dillhoff, R. M...... XXIII, 30 Gossmann, R...... XXVI, 44 Booi, M...... XIV, XX, 18, 157 DiMichele, W. A...... XV, XXII, 30, 72 Götz, A. E...... XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, Borisova, O...... XIII, 18 Dimitrova, T...... XXI, 31 ...... 47, 80, 116, 117, 123 Bosma, H. F...... XXV, 19 Dimou, M...... XXVII, XXVIII, 37 Grabowska, I...... XIX, 134 Boura, A...... XXIV, XXVIII, 18, 28 Djordjevic-Milutinovic, D...... 32 Granja, H. M...... XVII, 42 Bozilova, E...... XIV, XV, 20, 143 Doláková, N...... XI, XXVIII, 33 Granoszewski, W...... XIII, 138 Bozukov, V...... XIII, XXVI, 58, 59 Dolezych, M...... XVII, 33 Green, W. A...... XIV, 50 Bratushchak, Y. V...... XXVI, 20 Donova, N. B...... XVIII, 34 Gregor, H. J...... XXI, 101 Braun, D...... XVIII, 9 Dorado, M...... XXVII, 162 Grein, M...... XXI, 68 Braun, M...... XIV, 84 Dörfelt, H...... XXIV, 127 Grímsson, F...... XX, 50, 51 Breuer, P...... XII, 109 Doyle, J. A...... XIII, 34 Gromyko, D. V...... XIII, 22 Brewer, S...... XIII, 138 Drábková, J. . . .XII, XV, XVI, XVII, 13, 35, 101, 129 Grote, P. J...... XX, XXVII, 51, 67 Britski, D. A...... XXVIII, 20, 44 Duan, S...... XIII, 157 Guignard, G...... XXIV, 93 Břízová, E...... XII, XXVI, XXVII, 21, 92 Dulic, I...... 32 Guobyte, R...... XIII, 133 Broutin, J...... XVI, XXI, XXIV, 14, 31, 165 Durska, E...... XIII, 35 Haas, J...... XXV, 116 Bruch, A. A...... XI, XIII, XXVI, Edwards, D...... XI, 36 Hably, L...... XV, XVI, XXV, 52, 88, 137 ...... 2, 22, 62, 93, 145 El Harbi, A. A...... 1 Hájek, M...... XII, 83

168 Hájková, P...... XII, 83 Krakhmalnaya, T. V...... XVIII, 136 Moiseeva, M. G...... XVII, 95 Handley, L...... XXII, 26 Krassilov, V...... XIV, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIV, Mokhova, L.M...... XVII, 96 Hanotin, C...... XXVIII, 28 ...... 49, 61, 65, 71, 106, 166 Morla, C...... XVII, 42 Harland, M...... XVII, 105 Krings, M...... XI, XV, XXII, 72, 108, 140 Morris, J...... XXIV, 96 Harris, J...... XVIII, 9 Kubešová, S...... XII, 83 Mosbrugger, V...... XIII, XIV, XXV, XXVI, Harzhauser, M...... XXVI, 53 Kuerschner, W. M...... XVII, XXI, XXII, XXV, ...... 2, 22, 37, 40, 58, 59, 147 Hashemi, H...... XXIII, 53 ...... 72, 146, 153 Mosseichik, Y. V...... XX, 96 Hass, H...... XI, 140 Kumar, M...... XIX, 72 Mosyakin, A. L...... XIX, XXVII, XXVIII, 97 Havlová, M...... XII, 83 Kuneš, P...... XII, XVII, 73, 83 Mosyakin, S. L...... XXVII, 14, 15, 144 Hayes, P...... XXIII, 26 Kunzmann, L...... XIII, XVI, 74, 156 Muñoz-Sobrino, C...... XXV, 31 Haywood, A. M...... XV, XXVI, 39, ,90, 133 Kustatscher, E...... XVI, XXII, XXIV, XXIV, XXV, Nalepka, D...... XXVII, 105 Herman, A. B...... XVII, 53, 95 ...... 23, 74, 75, 114, 167 Narimanishvili, G...... XXVII, 77 Hernandez-Castillo, G. R., ...... XV, 54 Kvaček, J...... XIII, XVI, XVII, XX, XXIV, Naugolnykh, S. V...... XVI, 97 Hesselbo, S. P...... XVII, 153 ...... 28, 53, 76, 140, 148 Navrátilová, L...... XXVII, 98 Heumann, G...... XXVI, 45 Kvaček, Z...... XI, XII, XV, XVI, XXI, XXIII, Nelson, S. N...... XIX, 30 Hilton, J...... XV, 124 ...... 52, 70, 72, 76, 77, 141 Nelson, W. J...... XXII, 98 Hinderer, M...... XXVI, 80 Kvavadze, E...... XV, XXVII, 77 Nikitin, V. V...... XIX, 47 Hinojosa, L. F...... XXVI, 90 Łanczont, M...... XXVII, 67 Nishida, H...... XXV, 98 Hochuli, P. A...... XXV, 23 Langgut, D. K...... XIV, 78 Nita, M...... XIII, 138 Hoelscher, D...... XXVI, 38 Lapteva, E. G...... XXVII, 78 Nixon, K. C...... XII, 99 Hofmann, Ch. Ch...... XIII, XV, XIX, 54, 55, 163 Latałowa, M...... XVIII, 79 Nogaj-Chachaj, J...... XXVII, 67 Holmes, W. B. K...... XX, 55 Laurent, J. M...... XXVI, 40 Nosova, N. V...... XXV, 99 Hooker, J. J...... XXII, 26 Lazarević, Z...... XX, 79 Novenko, E. Y...... XII, XXVIII, 25, 100 Hornung, J...... XXVI, 80 Lazarova, M...... XXVII, 79 Oakley, D...... XIX, 37 Iakovleva, A. I...... XVIII, 55 Lázničková, J...... XI, 33 Oberhänsli, H...... XIII, 138 Iamandei, E. P. . . . . XVII, XVIII, XXVIII, 56, 57, 150 Lee, Y. J...... XIX, 161 Ociepa, A. M...... XXV, 100 Iamandei, S...... XVII, XVIII, XXVIII, 56, 57, 150 Lenhardt, N...... XXVI, 80 Ognjanova-Rumenova, N. G...... XXV, 100 Ifantidis, M. D...... XXVII, 32 Lens, F...... XIX, 9 Oikonomopoulos, I. K...... XXI, 101 Iglesias, J...... XXV, 31 Lenz, O. K...... XIX, XXVI, 81, 112 Opluštil, S...... XII, XV, XVI, XVII, XXI, Ignatiev, I. A...... XV, 57 Legrand, J...... XXVIII, 80 ...... 12, 35, 101, 102, 129 Ilgar, A...... XXV, 63 LePage, B. A...... XXV, 151 Orlova, O. A...... XX, 102 Iljinskaja, I. A...... XXVI, 58 Li, W. B...... XXIV, 159 Otýpková, Z...... XII, 83 Ilyashuk, B. P., ...... XIII, 7 Libertín, M...... XII, XIII, XVII, XXI, 35, 82, 102 Ozerov, I. A...... XXVI, XXVIII, 103 Indeherberge, L...... XIX, 148 Litt, T...... XI, 83 Pacltová, B...... XXIV, 93 Ivanov, D...... XIII, XXVI, 58, 59 Loveridge, R...... XXIV, 14 Pagés, J. L...... XXVII, 43 Jacques, F. M. B...... XXVI, 59 Lučeničová, B...... XII, 83 Pais, J...... XXVI, 151 Jakab, G...... XIV, 84 Lustyk, P...... XII, 83 Pál, Z...... XIV, 84 Jankovská, V...... XII, XVII, XXVII, Machs, E. M...... XXVI, XXVIII, 103 Palazzesi, L...... XXVI, 11 ...... 59, 71, 73, 83, 115 Madeja, J...... XVIII, 84 Pálfy, J...... XIV, XXIII, XXV, 10, 116, 117 Jasper, A...... XIII, 145 Magyari, E. K...... XIV, XV, 84, 85 Pancost, R. D...... XXII, 26 Jurina, A. L...... XII, 60 Mahmoud, M. S...... XXIV, 86 Panera, J...... XXVII, 162 Kalicki, T...... XXVII, 128 Mai, D. H...... XX, 86 Panova, L. A...... XXV, 151 Kalnina, L...... XII, 60 Makhnach, N...... XXVII, 128 Panova, N. K...... XXVII, 103 Kalugin, I. A...... XXVII, 117 Manchester, S. R...... XVIII, XXII, XXIII, Parrish, J. T...... XII, 37 Kandemir, R...... XXIII, 1 ...... 86, 87, 105, 158 Pashkevich, G...... XV, 104 Kaouras, G. I...... XXI, 101 Manmohan, M...... XVII, 64 Pedersen, K. R...... XI, 9, 40 Karasev, E...... XXIV, 61 Mantsurova, V. N...... XVIII, 87, 88 Pędziszewska, A...... XVIII, 79 Karevskaya, I. A...... XIII, 61 Mapes, G...... XV, 54 Pereira, D...... XXVI, 151 Katinas, L...... XXVI, 11 Marchenko-Vagapova, T. I...... XXVI, 20 Perez-González, A...... XXVII, 162 Kaya, T...... XXVI, 63 Marinova, E...... XIV, XV, 20, 85 Pestchevitskaya, E...... XIX, 104 Kayseri, M. S...... XVIII, XXV, XXVI, 25, 62, 63 Marrón, M. T. F...... XXV, 88 Petr, L...... XVII, 59 Kerp, H...... XI, XIV, XV, XXII, XXIV, Martín-Closas, C...... XIII, XXIV, 29, 49 Philippe, M...... XVII, 105 ...... 17, 23, 72, 108, 140, 146, 152 Martinetto, E...... XVI, XXVIII, 89 Pigg, K. B...... XXII, XXIII, 30, 105 Khandelwal, A...... XVII, 64 Martínez-García, E...... XXIV, 80, 165 Piller, W. E...... XXVI, 53 Khokhlova, I. E...... XXV, 6 Martínez-Hernandez, E...... XXVI, 80 Pokorný, P...... XVII, XXVII, XXVIII, Kholmovoy, G. V...... 125 Matysová, P...... XVI, 89 ...... 33, 59, 71, 73, 105 Kienast, F...... XIII, 7 Mayda, S...... XXVI, 63 Polevova, S...... XXI, 105, 126 Kirpotin S. N...... XXVI, 16 McDonald, C. M...... XXVI, 90 Pons, D...... XI, XIX, XXIV, XXVIII, Kisieliene, D...... XXVIII, 64 McElwain, J. C...... XV, XXI, 11, 90, 167 ...... 14, 80, 95, 106, 134, 151 Klotz, S...... XIV, XXVI, 37, 145 Medeanic, S...... XXVII, XXVIII, 90, 91 Poole, I...... XIII, 107 Kočí, M...... XII, 83 Medzihradszky, Z...... XVII, 91 Popa, M. E...... XXII, 107 Kodrul, T...... XXI, XXII, 65 Meller, B...... XIII, XVI, XXIV, XXVI, 23, 38, 55, 92 Popławska-Raszewska, A...... XXIV, 108 Kohlman-Adamska, A...... XIX, 134 Mentlík, P...... XII, XXVII, 21, 92 Possnert, G...... XIV, 143 Komar, M...... XXVII, 66, 67 Méon, H...... XXIV, 92 Pott, Ch...... XXII, 108 Kongjun, W...... XXVII, 67 Meyer, M...... XV, 54 Pouit, D...... XXVIII, 80 Konrad, W...... XIX, XXI, 68, 116 Meyer-Berthaud, B...... XIV, XVI, 29, 46, 92 Prakash, N...... XIV, 108 Konzalová, M...... XV, XXV, 68, 69 Michalík, J...... XXIII, 117 Pratt, L. M...... XII, 142 Korona, O. M...... XXVII, XXVIII, 69, 70 Micheels, A...... XIII, XXVI, 40, 93 Prestianni, C...... XII, 109 Koslov, D. N...... XII, 100 Mihajlović, D...... XX, 79 Preto, N...... XXV, 23 Kováčová, M...... XI, XXV, 33, 70 Milivojević, J. D...... XVIII, 94 Prokop, J...... XXVIII, 109 Kovar-Eder, J...... XII, XXV, 70, 155 Miola, A...... XXIV, 39 Pšenička, J...... XII, XIII, XVII, XXI, XXIV, Kowalski, R...... XXV, 71 Miotk-Szpiganowicz, G...... XXVII, 94 ...... 102, 109, 110, 111 Kozáková, R...... XXVII, 71 Mohr, B. A. R...... XI, XXIV, 14, 95 Pukhonto, S. K...... XXIV, 111

169 Pusachenko, Y. G...... XII, 100 Smith, P. L...... XIV, 10 Valachovič, M...... XII, 83 Radionova, E. P...... XXV, 6 Smokotina, I. V...... XXIV, 130 Valdeolmillos, A...... XXVII, 162 Ragazzi, E...... XVI, 114 Snezhkova, S. A...... XXVIII, 18 van Bergen, P...... XIII, 107 Raskatova, M. G...... XII, 60 Soria, A...... XIV, 92, 131 van Dam, J. A...... XXVI, 148 Rasskazova, N. B...... XVIII, 112 Sousa, L...... XXVI, 151 van der Burgh, J...... XXVIII, 89 Ricardi-Branco, F...... XXIV, 14 Speck, T...... XIV, 131 van der Ham, R. W. J. M...... XIX, XXV, 19, 148 Riedel, N...... XXVI, 44 Spicer, R. A...... XVII, 131 van Konijnenburg-van Cittert, J. H. A. . . XI, XIV, Riegel, W...... XIX, XXVI, 81, 112, 113, 156 Srisuk, P...... XX, 51 . . XVI, XIX, XX, XXII, XXIV, XXV, 18, 19, 23, 74, 167 Rodionov, A. V...... XXVI, XXVIII, 103 Srivastava, A. K...... XVI, 132 van Waveren, I. M...... XIV, XX, 18, 157 Rößler, R...... XVI, XXIV, 110, 113 Srivastava, D...... XIV, 132 Velichkevich, F. Y...... XXVIII, 149 Roghi, G...... XVI, XXIV, XXV, 23, 39, 75, 114 Srivastava, R...... XXI, 132 Velitzelos, D...... XVII, 150 Roleček, J...... XII, 83 Stancikaite, M...... XIII, 133 Velitzelos, E...... XVII, 150 Romanov, M. S...... XIX, 114 Stankiewicz, E...... XVIII, 84 Viaud, J. M...... XXVIII, 80 Roof, S...... XIV, 24, 39 Steart, D. C...... XXII, 26 Vickulin, S. V...... XXI, XXV, 150, 151 Ross, A...... XXIII, 26 Steemans, P...... XII, 109 Vieira, M...... XXVI, 151 Rostovtseva, J. I...... XXV, 115 Stephens, R. S...... XV, 133 Viereck-Goette, L...... XIV, 17 Roszková, A...... XXVII, 115 Stockey, R. A...... XV, 54 Villanueva-Amadoz, U...... XXIV, 124, 151 Roth-Nebelsick, A...... XIX, XXI, 68, 116 Stott, A...... XXII, 26 Vincent, P...... XXVIII, 28 Rothwell, G. W...... XII, XV, XVI, 54, 121, 142 Strimaitiene, A...... XIII, 133 von Balthazar, M...... XI, 9 Rowe, N. P...... XIV, 131 Strömberg, C. A. E...... XII, 134 Vörding, B...... XV, XXII, 152 Rubiales, J. M...... XVII, 42 Stuchlik, L...... XIX, XXV, 69, 134 Vozenin-Serra, C...... XVI, 14 Ruckwied, K...... XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, Suc, J. P...... XXVI, 40 Wachtler, M...... XXII, 75 ...... 47, 116, 117, 123 Sun, B. N...... XIII, 135 Wacnik, A...... XXVIII, 84, 152 Rudaya, N. A...... XXVII, 117 Sventorzhetskaya, O. Y...... XXVIII, 44 Wade-Murphy, J...... XVII, XXV, 153 Rundgren, M...... XXII, 118, 154 Svobodová, H...... XII, 83 Wagner, F...... XXII, 118, 154 Rust, J...... XXVI, 45 Svobodová, M...... XXIV, 93, 136 Wagner, P...... XV, 167 Ryberg, P. E...... XIV, 139 Święta-Musznicka, J...... XVIII, 79, 135 Wagner, R. H...... XX, 154 Rylova, T...... XXI, XXVIII, 118, 119 Syabryaj, S. V...... XVIII, 136 Wähnert, V...... XXV, 155 Sadowska, A...... XIX, 134 Szulc, J...... XXIII, XXIV, 47 Waksmundzka, M...... XXV, 155 Sageman, B. B...... XXI, 11 Takahashi, M...... XXIV, 137 Walanus, A...... XXVII, 105 Sajjadi, F...... XXV, 120 Tamás, J...... XV, XXV, 52, 137 Walther, H...... XIII, XV, 155, 156 Sakala, J...... XVI, XVIII, 120 Tarasevich, V. F...... XXV, 138 Wang, J...... XVII, 13, 156 Samsonov, N. I...... XXV, 120 Tarasov, P. E...... XIII, 7, 138 Wang, Q...... XXIV, 157 Sander, P. M...... XXVI, 45 Tatur, A...... XXVIII, 152 Wang, X...... XIII, XXVIII, 157 Sanders, H. L...... XVI, 121 Taylor, E. L...... XIV, 139 Wang, Y...... XXVIII, 157 Savchenko, I...... XXVIII, 119 Taylor, T. N...... XI, XIV, XV, 72, 139, 140 Ważyńska, H...... XIX, 134 Savchik, T...... XXVII, 128 Taylor, W. A...... XI, 140 Wcisło-Luraniec, E...... XV, XXII, 10 Savidge, R. A...... XVI, 121 Tekleva, M...... XVI, 140 Wei, L. J...... XIII, 135 Saxena, R. K...... XXV, 122 Tellería, M. C...... XXVI, 11 Wellman, Ch. H...... XI, 158 Scharf, B...... XVII, 64 Tenchov, Y...... XXI, 142 Werdelin, L...... XII, 134 Schirrmeister, L...... XIII, 7 Teodoridis, V...... XII, XXV, 141 Wheeler, E. A...... XVI, XVIII, XIX, 9, 87, 158 Schmidt, A. R...... XIV, XXIV, XXVIII, 126, 127 Thevenard, F...... XXIII, 25 Wilde, V...... XIX, XXIII, XXVI, Schmidt, K...... 158 Thomas, B. A...... XXI, 142 ...... 2, 81, 86, 112, 113, 158 Schneider, J. W...... XIV, 17 Thorn, V...... XXVIII, 142 Xiao, L...... XIII, 135 Schöner, R...... XIV, 17 Thrasyvoulou, A...... XXVII, XXVIII, 32 Xie, S. P...... XIII, 135 Schrank, E...... XVIII, 127 Tokarev, P. I...... XXVIII, 44 Yan, D. F...... XIII, 135 Schultka, S...... XII, 127 Tomescu, A.M. F...... XII, 142 Yang, X. J...... XV, XXIV, 159 Schweizer, C...... XX, 128 Tonkov, S...... XIV, XV, 20, 143 Yaroshenko, O. P...... 160 Scott, A. C...... XII, XXII, 26, 122 Tonon, M...... XXIV, 39 Yi, S...... XXVI, XXVIII, 160, 161 Sehnert, M...... XXII, 123 Torgan, L. C...... XXVIII, 91 Yilmaz, C...... XXIII, 1 Selden, P. A...... 123 Török, A...... XXIII, XXIV, 47 Yurtsever, S...... XXV, 63 Selmeier, A...... XVII, 123 Traiser, Ch...... XXVI, 145 Zachmann, D. W...... XVII, 64 Sender, L. M...... XXIV, 124, 151 Tripathi, S. K. M...... XIV, 132 Zachowicz, J...... XXVII, 161 Seyfullah, L. J...... XV, 124 Trivedi, G. K...... XXV, 122 Zamaloa, M. C...... XVI, 42 Shalisko, V. Y...... XXV, 151 Tropina, P...... XXV, 143 Zapata, M. B. R...... XXVII, 162 Shpul, V. G...... 124, 125 Trubicyna, A. N...... XXIV, 144 Zastawniak, E...... XXVIII, 199 Shuklina, A...... XXI, XXIV, 125, 126 Tsenov, B...... XXV, 144 Zavialova, N...... XVI, 75, 114 Silantieva, N...... XXI, 128 Tserendash, N...... XXVII, 117 Zernitskaya, V...... XXVII, 162 Silman, M...... XIII, 107 Tsymbalyuk, Z. M...... XIX, XXVIII, 97, 144 Zetter, R...... XIII, XVIII, XIX, XXIV, 29, 76, 163 Simakova, G...... XXVII, 128 Uhl, D...... XII, XIII, XXII, Zhilin, S. G...... XX, XXV, 138, 164 Símonarson, L. A...... XX, 50, 51 ...... 22, 93, 141, 145, 146 Zhinkina, N. A...... XXVI, XXVIII, 103 Šimůnek, Z...... XV, XXI, 102, 129 Ukraintseva, V. V...... XXVI, XXVIII, 103 Ziaja, J...... XV, XXII, 10 Sirenko, E. A...... XXV, 129 Upchurch, G. R. Jr...... XVII, 146 Ziembińska-Tworzydło, M...... XIX, 134, 162 Slavomirova, E...... XXVI, 58, 59 Utescher, T...... XIII, XXV, XXVI, Žítt, J...... XXIV, 136 Słodkowska, B.. . . . XIX, XXVI, 130, 134, 147, 162 ...... 2, 40, 58, 59, 93, 147 Životić, D. R...... XVIII, 94 Šmarda, P...... XII, 83 Uzunova, K...... XXV, 147 Zodrow, E. L...... XXI, 111 Smets, E...... XIX, 9 Váchová, Z...... XXIV, 148 Zuganova, I. S...... XXVII, 164 Smirnova, S. B...... XXIV, 130 Vaikutiene, G...... XIII, 133 Żyga, A...... XVIII, 84

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